Don Bradman’s “Art of Cricket”, Bob Woolmer’s “Art and Science of Cricket” and Mike Brearley’s “Art of Captaincy” are iconic works that help you understand the basics and intricacies of the game. Not in the same league but a humble effort by two Karnataka cricketers — Rajesh Kamath and Somashekar Shiraguppi — throws light on the hidden science of batting.
Titled “The Elite Batter”, the book is a superb analytical project with a foreword by the inimitable G. R. Viswanath, the original artist who made batting appear a simple and captivating vocation.
The book deals with technical and mental skills and many other components associated with batsmanship.
Kamath played in the mid-80s, and Shiraguppi a decade later. They bring in their knowledge of the game to guide this generation, explaining the art of making runs with brilliant study of various achievers from the game.
Basics are given high preference. Says Kamath, “The basics have to be imbibed at least by the age of 13-14 if not earlier, as the competition at the national level in India starts at the under 16 level. To perform well at this level means a batter needs to be very well conversant with the strategies and tactics he needs to adopt and execute, which he will fail in if his basics are faulty.”
Shiraguppi supports, “It is very vital to impart correct lessons at the junior level. Since the trainees below 12 will not be mature to understand the technical aspects of the game, these trainees may be given lot of lessons about competition, importance of team, about discipline, about history of the game, etc.”
Technique, obviously, evolves with time.
“As a cricketer, has to compete and excel in different formats, under different conditions and situations and against different oppositions, the technique and the mind will go hand in hand to encompass an evolving process of having appropriate tactics, strategies and the innovative methods to excel,” asserts Shiraguppi.
Kamath avers, “As the mind is a huge part of technique, the different formats as also the ever-changing rules of the game forces the mind to innovate to keep up. And as the saying goes ‘how you think is how you act’ so it is only natural that the body physically reacts as per the wishes of the mind and we can only see the physical body and not the mind. But in actual fact, it is the mind which determines technique. If a batter possesses a good basic technique, he will succeed in any format and conditions.”
Is technique all about stance and grip (for batsmen) and release point (for bowlers)?
Shiraguppi notes, “It is all about the ideal grip (than stance) which defines a batter’s technique. Ideal grip will always facilitate to have a well-balanced stance which will then facilitate a quiet and a neutral mindset. The amalgamation of these three basics (ideal grip, balanced stance and neutral mindset) and the intention of always looking for the full ball will set the batsman in a power position at release.”
Importance of grip
In Kamath’s opinion, “A perfect grip will by default lead to a well-balanced stance which will then facilitate a quiet and a neutral mindset. In bowling, it is the bowling grip. Run up, gather (till the bowler’s back foot landing) and a goal oriented focussed mindset for that particular delivery (in terms of the line and the length of the ball to be bowled) which are the basics by which his technique is defined.”
Who would they pick as best batsman and bowler? Kamath responds, “Very difficult to answer this question because of different eras, conditions, change in rules/laws of the game and the changes in the various formats of the game. But for me personally, it is Sir Vivian Richards and Mathew Hayden in batting, Glen McGrath and Sir Richard Hadlee in fast bowling, Shane Warne, Daniel Vettori and Nathan Lyon in the spin department.”
Shiraguppi rated Viswanath high because, “He was a master of playing under adverse conditions, be it seaming or spinning. Sachin Tendulkar is perfect batsman to handle the pressure on and off the field. Rahul Dravid perfect for patience and temperament. Sir Vivian Richards and Mathew Hayden perfect in performing with high strike rate and average all over the world. For their swing and reverse swing Glenn McGrath, Sir Richard Hadlee, Wasim Akram; for their accuracy and intelligence Shane Warne and Anil Kumble, not to forget all-rounders Jacques Kallis and Kapil Dev.”
Profuse praise from Viswanath adds to the book’s value. “I found the section wherein the technique of international cricketers is analysed, early in their careers and later when they refined their game, to be very informative. It is a lifetime work of research to understand the game. It is a must-read book.”
