The Captains speak - What does Season 14 hold?

So what does it take for being a captain at the maidaan? More importantly what does it take to be a successful one. In the 13.5 seasons ( half counting the Lopa season) we have had a number of strong personalities take up the mantle of leadership. I did it myself but probably had lesser friends by the end of that season. 

So, what will be the reasons for one to aspire to be a leader of a team. In my view , a captain needs to be a keen observer, a shrewd tactician, and an astute man-manager. The captain needs to focus on the past, present and future aspects of the game but also on the mental and emotional well-being of his team. And then he needs to ensure he leads by example. And did I forget he needs to win. 

Most importantly the captain needs to be switched on and self aware. 

By all accounts, it is not an easy job to have. We have had some really good captains here in our group. 

Samir probably tops the list because you almost feel that he was made for the job. Always in control and also devising plans to outthink the opposition. 

Shiten probably is our captain with the highest success rate and that speaks volumes about how he handled his team to give it their best. 

Vicky was a highly motivating leader but probably got carried away on certain occasions which is not helpful. A calmer Vicky with his bowling now looking sharper than ever means he can be an excellent leader and there is no one better than him to rally the troops. 

Satya and Dhruv I see as very similar. They are probably the most democratic captains and are great at ensuring the team bond stays very strong but being a nice captain does not always help. 

Aashish has been an inspiring captain but ever since he stopped bowling his captaincy has also probably suffered because at the end of the day a leader needs to lead in actions and performances too. 

Chaitanya really came into his own last season and the fact that he put up his hand again shows that he is a fast learner ready to think ahead. 

HK if you ask me was a terrible captain. He wanted 10 other HK's on his team which was never going to happen. 

I personally was the worst of the lot. I switched between being democratic to letting people know what I felt about their efforts which as a captain was the worst thing to do in public. 

Hari and Manoj never wanted to captain though I think they both have solid brains to do the job. 

So, as we being the new season I got both our newly minted captains to share their thoughts on a few questions I had in mind. Read on!!!  

1. You both have been captains before. What made you take up the challenge again?

Chaitanya: Are you kidding? You get to bat where you want, you get to bowl if and when you want, you get to boss around the superstars of Palladian cricket. The power is just intoxicating.

But the politically correct answer is two fold:

Quest for redemption: I screwed up a game or two last season with my bad decisions which proved costly and we lost the season. The great thing about Palladian cricket is you get another shot a week later. Hopefully, we end up with the big prize at the end of the season.

Level up: I've felt more charged up and more focused after taking up captaincy. I love the feeling and I enjoy the game a lot more. So when people wanted me to continue, it was a no-brainer  

Satya: I have loved the maidaan vibes consistently for the past five years. I enjoy being involved with the game every second of the 2.5 hours we play each weekend day. Taking on the responsibility of captaincy offers me the opportunity to engage with the game fully, even when I'm sitting out and not fielding. Looking forward to the weekend is a stress buster for me throughout the week. Being a captain gives me a purpose; it allows me to think about the upcoming game, scrutinise what happened in the previous one, and chat, discuss, and bond with others while planning. I realize that maidan cricket has become highly competitive over time, and if poor decisions are made during a game, they can harm the team's chances of winning, which is frustrating. A captain's decisions are often explicitly or implicitly scrutinised. However, the ability to make decisions that align with the path to victory motivates me to embrace the challenge.

2. How do your teams stack up? Are there any areas where you see gaps?

Chaitanya: Oh, there are huge gaps. We, for one, have identified a huge one in the Canes - the gap between Hari's gloves. An edge is now a high percentage shot. You can rest assured that we will look to exploit this gap to the fullest.

But team composition wise, no. These are fairly balanced teams - thanks to Satya's highly analytical approach. You always have gaps on a given day, for many reasons, but it won't be due to how the teams have been split.   

Satya: We tried to approach this as objectively as possible this time. Having played for five years, the players' attributes are now fairly well understood. The idea was to utilize that knowledge to objectively create a balanced combination. It looks pretty good that way, though gaps may arise due to the absence of key players. However, the 1- and 2-pointer process somewhat balances this out. Bowling is always a challenging area. Over time, batters have become significantly smarter and better, reducing the margins of error for bowlers. If you look at maidan history, a few matches can be won through batting heroics, but consistent bowling as a unit across matches is what wins a season for a team. The bowling unit that makes fewer mistakes will increase the team's chances of winning the season. Therefore, the main gap for both teams is the consistency in bowling, particularly regarding the availability of key bowlers free from injury.

3. What is your team's goal this season going to be apart from winning the season?

Chaitanya: A lot of work goes behind the scenes to get the team into a winning position. We have a few top-priority items lined up - Getting Vikram drunk on Friday nights, digging up a few roads in Koramangala, and a few more in the pipeline.

My personal goal will be to get my team to play an aggressive brand of cricket.   

Satya: Needless to say, winning the season is the ultimate goal, and there will be sub-goals to reach that objective. I would like to work towards achieving these:

● Make all team members feel they can be match-winners on their day.

● Provide clarity on the roles they will play for the team throughout the season, ensuring everyone has a reasonable opportunity to play their role, contribute, and feel good.

● Foster bonding among the players so they can enjoy the journey toward the goal of winning the season

4. Any problem players on your team that will need TLC?

Chaitanya : The only ones walking on eggshells will be my teammates. Wolves is not a place for TLC. 

We are all adults and the kids have shown maturity beyond their years. I don't anticipate any problems with any of the players.  

Satya: I don't see any problematic players that would require TLC. I believe everyone wants the opportunity to contribute to the winning cause.

I will rely heavily on Hari’s reading of the game and his specific input both on and off the field to get the best out of each player.

Pranav can become a bit too emotional, given his age and the high standards he sets for himself. Having Hari on the same team this time is a significant advantage for leading him.

We need to ensure that Arjun's mind is fully engaged in the game at all times throughout the season. He needs to maintain his usual aggressive mindset while also being calm when applying that aggression.

5. How do you predict the season score ending? And your reasons for the same

Chaitanya: I don't have a crystal ball, but a lot will depend on the Cane's designated leg-umpire. And as always we will await orders from the behind-the-scenes puppet masters. Wait, no...no no no... I didn't mean to say it. Nooooooo.

Satya: I believe this season will be closely contested and will go down to the wire. I anticipate a 14-14 tie, leading to a grand finale that will decide the winner. This season will rely more on solid team performance rather than individual brilliance, given the judicious and objective team combination. 

I expect it to be a battle of minds and nerves. With the maidan experience of most players, the losing team will regroup quickly and come back stronger, resulting in a seesaw battle. The team that manages to avoid complacency will have the advantage.

I predict that the Hurricanes will win the finals, as their ability to stay non-complacent appears stronger.