The Mystery of the Four Seasons - What ails the Vikings?

An insider-outsider perspective - By Hari Ananthan 

Something is just off, isn't it? 

A close first season of this now legendary rivalry between the Infernos and the Vikings that the former won 8-6 (if memory serves me right).

Followed by two seasons of thumping. 8-2, followed by 8-3. 

A magnificent hat-trick led superbly by the decisive and unflappable Shiten, our own MS (just invert Samir Mishra's initials), and that professional in amateur's clothing - HK!

And now off to a bright start in Season 4.

2-0 right off the bat even though the odds were even, or in the Vikings' favour in both games - a big chase in Game 1, and a depleted Infernos line-up in Game 2.

I wasn't there, but the one-sided nature of Game 2 was shocking and truly unexpected, I imagine.

Team compositions have changed quite a bit barring a few - notably that one fateful switch which left Arjun in the Vikings camp at the beginning of Season 1 where he has remained. And boy o boy, has he endured this painful streak longer than any of us !!

I lived through that pain and agony in Seasons 2 and 3. Yes - the matches were not as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Many went down to the wire. Vikings remained a happy group - at first and for the most part. Whenever we won, we won as a group with contributions from everyone... It was such a joy. We felt the other side was a one-man army... yes, that one man (only partly true of course - there were so many other contributors). 

And yet, as the losses piled up late into Season 3, shoulders dropped, tempers frayed, and the mindset went down the sewer. Should we or shouldn't we play official (or maybe decide after the toss, wink wink)? What to do in the first 5 overs to avoid losing wickets? Why isn't anyone able to bat long enough? Why oh why in the Lord's name are we not winning any tosses? YES - that must be it. The toss is really the curse - we would have won a lot more games if we won the DAMN TOSS!

Vikings - that name is now officially cursed!

Dear Viking brothers - upon being solicited, I write this open letter with some suggestions and hard truths. 

Some identities are etched in pain. For that reason, I remain a Viking at heart, partially at least.

So consider that these come from a place of love.

As I told the owner of this blog - a FAT LOT OF GOOD my suggestions did in Seasons 2 and 3. Yes, I am referring to the brains trust of Arjun, Satya and I, with our beer sessions and gentle strolls around the apartment late in the evening, strategizing endlessly, while being chased around and heckled by the likes of HK and Vikram.

Please feel free to completely ignore me. Regardless, here I go.

1. Change the captain. Sorry to say - I love Satya as much as the next man. But time's up. Need Fresh Blood. Fresh Thinking. Fresh Energy.  

2. Your bowling attack is quite strong. Arjun, HK, Satya, Pranav, Gopi sir, and some other part-timers. But the fulcrum is a positive and energetic Arjun. It comes down to how he feels and drives the energy through that bowling line-up. Arjun - you got to pep up that bowling unit on the field and keep pushing them. And yourself, of course. Be alert. Mix up those leg spinners, off spinners, leg cutters, and faster balls. HK and Satya will do their thing. And Pranav (with all your help) can chip in.

3. Harsha - man. You are too good a batsman to miss out so often. Only thing you need to do - stand tall at the crease, be more balanced. Don't lunge towards the off side. And then watch the ball. Your bat will do the talking.

4. Kings - I have already told you what you need to do. Don't always look for the full ball to loft. Or step out of the crease to make it full. Everyone knows now that they can't bowl full to you. Be balanced. Take a half-step back towards off stump so that you open up scoring options off the back foot. And if you see it coming full, you will be able to move forward automatically.

5. Satya - you can easily make 15-20 runs every match when you bat. For heavens' sake - don't think. Oh, when does a batsman make a decision? How do I figure out what to hit? Screw all that thinking. Come down the order where you are looking to score every ball (don't come early trying to rotate etc.). Stay balanced, and watch the ball till the last minute. Don't try to smash it out of the park. Just watch it. Your body will do what it needs to do.

6. Arjun - don't be a lazy ass at the crease. Even if you are defending, defend firmly and with intent... move your feet. Don't just plop your bat. Be energetic and in rhythm. Like on the tennis court. That lazy elegance stuff is not for you. Kings has that covered. 

7. Manoj - Same advice as for Satya. Just watch the ball. You have enough power to clear off the front or the back foot. Just keep your mind clear and watch the ball.

8. Kishore and Bipin will always do what they do. See ball hit ball only. No advice from me!

Can't think of anything more for the moment.

You guys do all this and that one man will do the rest.

Wishing you a fantastic season ahead.

About the writer: Hari is one of the foremost cricket players and thinkers of the game. His batting and wicketkeeping skills are unmatched and his mentoring style is very accommodating and empathetic. A PCL original and a man for all seasons and passions. When he is not playing cricket he is either decoding the mysteries of faster phone processors or making music apart from trying his best to be our first joint winner of Mr. Palladian and Mr. FOTY. We always wish Hari the best.