Panacea Punjab cricket needs

And, then the slide. The team8217;s performance went from bad to worse and they failed, for the second year in running, to make through the Super League stage this season as well.

A worried Punjab Cricket Association, pulled a coup when it got the services of former Indian pace bowler 8211; turned 8211; Mumbai Ranji coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu to train8217; the Punjab team in their off-season camp which began at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, S A S Nagar near here today.

8220;Balwinder was there when we played the 8217;94-95 final against Mumbai and then he saw our team in this season8217;s Super League match here as well. He is no stranger for us and was very keen to come and help our boys when we requested him,8221; said Daljit Singh, chief coach PCA.

8220;This is an ideal time for an off-season camp. A camp just before the main matches doesn8217;t leave any scope for experimentation. We end up doing so many things in so little time. The pre-season camp this year will only be an extension of this one,8221; Daljit added.

8220;Balwinder Sandhu can indeed help our side. He happens to be the manager of the strongest side in India Mumbai. Their approach towards cricket is completely different. They play cricket the hard way and since Sandhu has been managing them with success he knows his job pretty well,8221; said Daljit.

The emphasis of the ongoing camp, as Balwinder Sandhu puts it, will be on the mental toughness of the guys. 8220;That Punjab side 8217;94-95 was more mature. You had eight-nine solid players who had been playing together as a team for a considerable period of time. It helped them to be mentally strong. There is an apparent chasm in this side some are experienced while rest are still raw. Several Punjab players have been playing for India but they haven8217;t been able to match their performances with the team. Youngsters need some time, maybe an year or two and once they are knit together, they will perform to their potential.8221;

8220;We will work on that aspect mental toughness. The players will be videotaped and their strengths and weaknesses will be analysed. We will have group lectures, individual discussions and ensure that each player knows his exact role in the side. This will be more of a clinic than a camp,8221; Sandhu remarked. Though today was the first day, Sandhu struck to his job gamely, giving tips to the spinners. The spinners, on their part, conceded that his tips seemed very useful.

Most of the probables have reported for the camp. Navjot Sidhu, Sikander Tiwana and Sandeep Sharma are expected to join in a day or two.

Meanwhile, a team of coaches will assist Sandhu during the camp. Dronacharya Awardee D P Azad, SAI coach Manjit Singh, Talwinder Pal Singh Patiala, Charanjit Singh Ludhiana and Devinder Arora Jalandhar have been invited for the same. Dr Tej Kaul, Physical Instructor SAI, who happens to be Delhi team8217;s physical trainer will also visit during the second week of the camp. His guidance could prove extra useful for the probables.

8220;We don8217;t want to take any chance this season. We have to prove our mettle. This camp is plan number one for that,8221; felt Daljit.