Tags:
Journalism of Courage
NO bowling machines, no scientific analysis of bowling action or a flaw in a batsman’s drive. A whole new ball game? Or is it the old ball game? Young bowlers slug it out on a worn mat even as vehicles speed past Bhutadijhampa grounds, loud enough to affect concentration.
But Mehndi Sheikh, who’s advising a budding cricketer on the right bowling action, remains unfazed. The man who’s coached recent sensations Irfan Pathan and Rakesh Solanki — both part of the Under-19 team that won the Asian Championship — believes in letting his wards do the talking.
Welcome to Baroda Sports Club. This is where Indian Brett Lee, Munaf Patel, who has been picked up for the Mumbai Ranji squad underwent a two-month stint under Sheikh. With more and more talents emerging from his club, Sheikh is a proud man today.
But Sheikh is not content resting on his laurels. The club at present has 50 students and the fundamental principle they are taught is: get the basics right.
‘‘I do not believe in teaching them with gadgets; it’s the basics which I concentrate on,’’ said Sheikh, who played Ranji Trophy from 1967-81. He said, ‘‘When a new entrant comes, I watch not only his technique but everything about him, his concentration level and his love for the game can also be gauged through his performance.’’
Pointing to the only light that overlooks the ground, Sheikh said, ‘‘Even when the club is on after sunset, this is the only light in which the players can play. That helps them to see the ball even in limited light.’’
He said the first lesson that is given is that the cricket ground is like a religious place. ‘‘The day they start respecting this ground and the game, they begin to learn cricket,’’ said Sheikh.
He said when anybody walks into his academy for the first time, the player is given intensive catching practice for at least two or three months and only then he is allowed to go in for batting or bowling.
Sheikh said there were some more promising players in his camp who could probably make it big ‘‘only if the selectors spot them.’’
‘‘There are players like Jayendra Jhala, Irshad Sindhi and Manoj Thombre who look promising,’’ said Sheikh.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Shah, a student from Ahmedabad, said: ‘‘He gives a lot of personal attention to all students and has personal interaction with them — that helps us a lot.’’
Javed Jogiya, another student, said the coach ‘‘is never tired’’ and does not neglect any student.
However, Sheikh has a complaint against some of his former students: that they’ve not looked back once since they made it big. ‘‘They know the needs of this club but once they go out, most of them do not turn around to even visit. I don’t expect anything from them, but it would make me happy,’’ said Sheikh.
