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My approach to batting in cricket

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As a kid, when you pick up the bat and hit your first ball, it feels heavenly.  There won't be many kids who don't like batting.  However, when the kid starts growing up and starts playing well, expectations start growing from within the house & from coaches to perform.  Once this happens, I personally feel the joy of bat hitting the ball or just having fun playing the wonderful game somehow starts dimming.  

Disclaimer:  I am not a psychologist or a certified professional cricket coach.  All the tips below are from my experience of overcoming challenges during my life and almost all of them relate to how you face or react to a particular situation.

Here are my tips to approach batting:

1. Just enjoy the game
2. When you prepare to face the first ball, take a few deep breaths and release it slowly
3. You need to hear just dead air and your eyes focused towards the bowler
4. If you get beaten, repeat #2 and get ready again. If you do this, I guarantee you that the chirping of the fielders won't bother you one bit. You most likely will be able to drown that side show out.
5. This game cannot be played with the fear of getting out. Don't be afraid of failure. 
6. Your aim has to be to score runs potentially off every ball. Be a busy player. 
7. If the ball is good, a serious forward or back foot block is also a defensive aggressive shot.  Remember, as coaches we tell you that you need to have a solid defence?  This is why!
8.  A bowler hates when a batsman can easily negotiate a great ball with ease with solid defence, not just when he gets hits for boundaries.  Always remember this!
9. There will be times when you will get out early.  Remember, it's a game.  There will be other opportunities to score again. Focus on contributing with fielding and bowling. 
10. It's a team game so if your colleague is going strong at the other end, there is no shame in giving him strike often.  This also implies that your running between the wickets has to be strong.
11. Play to your strengths. If the ball is there is your area, you have to be confident to hit your shot.  Practice this shot(s) often in the nets, even if you fail a number of times initially.

I have learnt it the hard way that there is never a time when challenges won't be there.  It can be cricket, job, money, relationship or whatever.  Imagine a mind with thoughts going and coming, in and out, constantly.  Can you relax in such a situation?  With such a busy mind, forget playing cricket, you cannot even learn anything in school. 

I will keep repeating that when you go out to bat, have a Virender Sehwag like attitude.  Watch the ball and hit the ball.  Work on your strengths more and more.  If VVS Laxman would've played flick according to the MCC manual, he would not have been a great batsman.  He played to his strengths and could even flick Shane Warne leggie from outside off stump towards mid wicket. 

Keep a strong head on your shoulders that doesn't get fazed by adversities on the field. Being mentally strong is a key to performing in cricket.

Enjoy this wonderful game!

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