The Conversation - The leader with the midas touch!!!

I have known Shiten well for over a year and a half now. My first impressions were that he was this very quiet chap, collected and there was something more behind that steely exterior. Since he became a part of this rumbustious gang, we have seen the quintessential Shiten or Shitzy as some of us call him. 

Picture this, the gang actually sets up a bar in his house before his kitchen. He clearly has his priorities straight. And who wouldn't want a buddy who is ready to hang with you on a Thursday afternoon for a drink, work be damned. But there is a lot more to Shiten than being the man who can make the best of writers feel inadequate to the leader of men that we all so openly acknowledge. 

Shiten, its wonderful to have you in our fold man. And keep the winning touch going though it ain't gonna get any easier. But as they, " If you don't want to win, you have already lost." 

1. So do you think you are invincible as a leader. 3 titles on the trot. Cant be easy with the diverse set of individuals you need to manage? 

Invincible? Hardly! I lost the 4th season, so let’s not forget that. Even Dhoni—widely considered the best—has lost seasons (and no, I’m not saying I’m Dhoni… yet 😛).

In all seriousness, I’ve been fortunate to manage very different teams across those 3 titles, and each one felt like a social experiment. You’ve got a group of individuals, all with different approaches, but focused on one thing: winning. The fun (and the challenge) comes from balancing the leaders and the followers. When you’ve got strong voices in the mix, it’s a lesson in itself to figure out what to listen to and what to ignore.

At the end of the day, though, you’ve got to trust your gut and stick to the process. That’s what makes Maidaan cricket so special—unpredictable, full of learning, and a lot of fun!

2. Who is the most difficult player that you find to manage in the group? Also the one whom you think has the most potential but does not do enough. 

Oh, hands down, Vicky! The guy is such a strong people manager that half the time I feel like he’s playing a whole different game—off the field! 😂 He’s got more tactical moves outside the Maidaan than anyone I know. It’s like he’s running a strategy workshop while we’re all just trying to play cricket!

As for the ones with the most potential but who does not do enough, it’s a tie between Raghu Reddy and Mark. These two could be unstoppable all-rounders if they actually gave themselves a chance. 

3. You fit into this group pretty easily though you watched from the outside for a long time. What made you decide that this was the time to get to know the maidaan scrappers?

It’s true, I did spend quite a bit of time watching from the sidelines, but for good reason! I’ve had three knee surgeries (all thanks to cricket, as I used to play semi-pro), and I developed a bit of a mental block about getting back into competitive play. So, while I adjusted, I watched from my balcony—getting a feel for the levels of cricket and psyching myself up.

But honestly, being the social person I am, it was hard to resist for long! I kept seeing the camaraderie and all the fun you guys were having, and I thought, Why not jump in and make some new friends too?

Oh, and a shoutout to Satya—seeing him at the lift, all geared up like he was ready to be MVP, was the final push I needed to get out there! How could I not join the action after that? 😄

4. You have some diverse tastes and clearly are the go to guy when it comes to food, drink and everything good? What makes you good at what you do?

Haha, well, I wouldn’t say I’m the ultimate go-to guy—just the guy who’s probably eaten way too much and has an uncanny ability to find the best food and drinks purely out of survival instinct! 😄 Honestly, it’s less of a skill and more of a superpower.

What makes me good at it? Probably a mix of being shamelessly curious and having zero fear of calories. Plus, after years of “sacrificing” myself to taste-test everything in sight, I’ve just gotten good at pretending I know what I’m talking about! 😜

But really, I just follow my gut—literally. It never steers me wrong (except maybe when there’s biriyani, then all bets are off). So yeah, I guess I’ve made my way to the top of the “good life” department through sheer dedication… and an expanding waistline! 

5. What would a perfect day at the maidaan be like for you?

You’ve got the sun shining, a gentle breeze blowing—ideal conditions for some high-octane cricket. We kick off with an intensely fought, high-scoring contest that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. It’s a nail-biter! Tension mounts, and of course, you can always count on a few light-hearted squabbles over the unique maidaan rules. It’s all part of the charm!

And you better believe we pull off a thrilling victory!

Now, after the dust settles, we gather around for some cold beers and delicious food in the afternoon! It’s about camaraderie and reliving the glorious moments of the day. For me it is —intense competition, laughter, and a celebration with good company!

6. Term a phrase for the following folks :

 Kishore: “The Zen Defender” – Always calm and composed, even in the tensest moments.

Vicky: “The Hyper Strategist” – Bursting with energy and always planning the next move.

Kings: “The Talented Jester” – A master of humor and talent, but often takes the relaxed route.

KG: “The Walking Question Mark” – Always puzzled, but never fails to crack a joke on himself… and a great friend

Satya: “The Passionate Workhorse” – Dedicated and emotionally invested in the game like no other.