IPL - How do you account the big hitting and tall scores?

It is too early to see a pattern, but two of the most explosive innings in the IPL, have come from teams playing first. Similarly, the centuries scored so far have been by batsmen playing in the first innings. To take it further, there have been more sixes hit by the team batting first than the team batting second.

Probably the frenetic nature of the format is the reason behind the big hitting. Batsmen have to perforce maximise their shots and have found that hitting it over the infield gives them maximum returns.

However, this does not explain why the chasing team finds it difficult to repeat the power hitting.

The most probable and obvious answer is it could be due to over thinking.

Focusing on the score or the fact that one should win the game often trumps a player’s intuitive response patterns (so-called muscle memory) that allows them to just play their game.

If this is the probable reason, then the utility of the coach is questionable. What is he doing if he cannot prepare his wards?

Where is Duncan Fletcher?

Ever wondered why Duncan Fletcher is not a part of IPL.

"Maybe I was asking too much," says Fletcher, "but it was late on and things
were very rushed." A man the IPL could not afford. Now there's a thing. They
want the best players but clearly not the best coaches.

It is debatable whether Duncan Fletcher is one of the world’s best coaches. John Buchanan has a much better record over a longer period.

Similarly, the question of affordability is laughable. Either Fletcher’s self-absorption and pompousness or the inability to agree upon the royalty from his book that is sure to follow, sunk the deal.

Dale Steyn takes a dig at Kirsten

It is obvious that the South Africans have not taken kindly to Kirsten coaching India. Their dislike comes out plainly at Dale Steyn's post match press conference.

"I am not too surprised. That's the vibe they have given off to us. Once one or two wickets fall and things kind of go wrong they are pretty weak and the batsmen to follow didn't look they knew what they wanted to do. They didn't have a game plan or strategy. They were bowled out for 76 and, I guess, that's what happens when you don't have a game plan or strategy," .

The key words here are the words 'weak' – a dig at Upton the mental strength conditioner, 'game plan', and 'strategy', which is a dig at Kirsten, India's coach.

The support staffs of a cricket team feature rarely during a post match press meet and on top of it Kirsten has been keeping a low profile. So why did Steyn take a swipe? The fact is the mere presence of Kirsten in the Indian team rankles and despite assurance they are wary that their weaknesses will be used against them.

Kirsten- will he deliver?

Kirsten, the coach designate, is making all the right noises.
"The players are more important than the coach or the administrators and if they aren't happy with the working conditions or the staff then there's no point carrying on," he said.

However, having seen one who was all sound and fury and capped his tenure by running away, I am have become sceptical of people who deliver the mumbo-jumbo with ease.

All things considered,I have a sneaking admiration for Kirsten for the methodical manner he went about arriving at his decision. Even his hesitancy,because of rumours that the 'seniors' were unhappy, shows a man who wants to be clear and also make his position clear.

Nevertheless, the question persists, will he deliver?

A triangular love story

Whatmore will be more effective as a coach, writes Makarand Waingankar:

The irony is that Whatmore has hardly any experience of running an academy which
Kirsten as a High Performance Manager does. Kirsten’s background would have
benefited the NCA more than the Indian team.

Whatmore suits the role of India’s coach to a tee and Kirsten suits the NCA job; however, the seniors want Rajput to continue

Indeed, a triangular love story straight out of Bollywood.

An MBA for Indian cricket coach's post

This is possible only in India.

An MBA graduate with no experience in playing
cricket has applied to be the coach of the Indian team, a board official said on
Tuesday.

"One of the applications we have received is
from an MBA graduate, despite the fact that he has not played any cricket. In
the column where applicants have to state their cricketing experience, he has
written that he has never played cricket," the official told IANS on condition
of anonymity.

"Further, he has written that he did not think
it was essential to play cricket to coach a team. He said that it required a
different kind of skill to manage the team," the official said. He declined to
name the individual.
Currently, the Indian team has an ad hoc coach, former
Test player Lalchand Rajput.

Need we say more?

Appointing a coach, Ravi Shastri and the selection charade

This coach appointment muddle is getting curious by the day.

Selection committee meetings are postponed, Ravi Shastri goes around proclaiming that there is no need to appoint a coach in a hurry.

What does this signify?

I suspect that they have already decided on a coach and the coach is going to be Ravi Shastri.

Something tells me that this charade is to give him sufficient time to complete his media engagements.

Could that be it?

No man is a hero to his valet

Neither is he a hero to his coach it seems. Here is one instance.

The autobiography of former England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher, awaiting release, will claim that an England practice session on the last tour of Australia had to be cancelled because Andrew Flintoff had been drinking.

Here is another:

Revealing his sour relationship with Shane Warne, former Australia cricket coach John Buchanan said he had urged the spin wizard to own responsibility for his actions after his drug suspension in 2003.

Somehow these revelations leave a bad taste. Firstly, the revelations are usually in the form of a book. Secondly, it comes almost as soon as the coaches quits.

Let’s take the first one. Whatever, be the motive, it still looks as if it is an attempt at sensationalizing and making a book sell. It is underhand and reveals a mercenary mindset.

The second one seems illogical. One of the primary jobs of a coach is to gain the confidence of his players. If the coach is going to write a book as soon as he completes an assignment, how will he gain the trust of his players?

There is nothing wrong in revealing the behind- the – scenes happenings for the sake of truth provided sufficient time has elapsed for the player to redeem himself and it gives the public time to digest a player’s career in full.

Rajput continues as interim cricket manager

The continuation of Rajput, albeit as an interim cricket manager, is intriguing.
I am yet to be convinced of his usefulness to the team. The T20 win, which was unexpected and surely not his own making has enhanced his career. The surprising performance, I expected a lame duck India, against the Australians furthered his case.

In essence, any one appointed as manager, during this period would have come out smelling roses. So why is he still there?

Being a Mumbaiker helped. By astutely pulling strings and paying his dues -
his uncharacteristic outburst against Vengsarkar’s comments on the seniors, should be construed as such (paying his dues) he has cemented his place.

An’Indian’Coach?

The BCCI’s thinking, which I suspect had been their agenda all along, seemed to have settled on an Indian for the prized coach job.

I go so far as to imply, that, it is why they have been dithering and delaying. No doubt, it made them look foolish, but it has now given them the opportunity to say that they are left with no choice.

Fortunately or unfortunately for them, only the future can say which, the Indian team has played into their hands.

In fact, Pawar had told reporters in Mumbai during the Twenty20 World Cup felicitation function that: “Our team has done well on tour of Bangladesh, it managed to win a Test series in England and their performance in South Africa is also commendable so far, even without the help of a foreign coach.”

All signs portend that it could be someone from the South.

Yuvraj wants a full-time coach or does he want a class-teacher?

India's Yuvraj Singh has asked the country's cricket board (BCCI) not to delay the appointment of a full-time coach any longer.

Asked why India needs a full- time coach Yuvraj answered "You need somebody to control the boys and talk to them."

Is he implying that his team mates are immature?

If we are to take his reason at face value, Team India and its cricketers need a teacher and not a coach.

Turn down the mike.

Guardian Unlimited reports that England coach Peter Moores has defended the conduct of his players and believes stump microphones should be turned down and called for more on-field privacy during matches.

Would it not be easier to ask the players to shut up and get on with the game?

BCCI and the glorious game of appointing a coach.

Now that Ford has opted out, speculation will start over.
There is bigger but subtler game being played.
First Whatmore was the favourite, and then he lost out.
Next Graham was bandied about only to face a new challenge in Emburey.
Emburey seemed to have given up before he landed in India.
Ford is offered the job but now he refuses due to family reasons.
To me it seems like a kinder garden child’s excuse.
This suggest to me that BCCI is deliberately muddling things. (Take a look at Politics & Cricket for more such politcal games.)
It is to show the world that they sincerely tried to get the best.
I believe that they have already someone on their mind.
This selection process is a sham and enacted to make a fool of us all.

Good question Shaun

Graham Ford good coach material for India: Shaun Pollock - News - News - Indiatimes Cricket:

"'Graham Ford was my coach and he coached me at the national level as well. I know what he can give.

But I don't know what Indian cricket needs or what they require. Are they looking for a backroom man or a man in front?

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Who can coach India?

I am ambivalent about Graham Ford. I am not questioning his credentials. It is just that I cannot reconcile myself to accepting a not so successful player as a coach. Anything after Greg Chappell is a let down. (But Greg's results have been mixed and his man management skills were pathetic.)

Dav Whatmore is a good coach, but I have my doubts whether he can coach India or Pakistan.My scepticism is largely due to the fact that in these teams there are wheels within wheels.Also there are many factions in the cricketing establishment who play God to players.

When Whatmore took over Sri Lanka, there was Arjuna Ranatunga, who lorded it over others.( His brother is a hot shot politician).Others like Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, were just making their mark.Since there was only one power centre, it was easy to coach them. The same can be said of Bangladesh team.

When it comes to India or say Pakistan there is so many super stars in the team, with their own interests. Then there are former players who have enormous influence trying to score political points, extract revenge, settle their personal feuds and furthering their own interests.

I doubt whether Whatmore or Ford can navigate this minefield.