After a long gap , I am inspired to write this blog post for one sole reason - The way Yuvraj singh grabbed the victory through an unconventional shot from Chennai Super Kings in a nail biting match that got tied and extended for a super over. Of course many players drove their teams to victory in the final moments.Lance Klusener did it ample number of times for South Africa ,that too in World cup matches. Javed Miandad did it for Pakistan hitting a last ball six at Sharjah .The list goes on....what's a big deal with this.
The catch lies in the way Yuvraj hit that one ball gifting Kings XI Punjab the victory that boosts their morale which had hit the rock bottom. He was the under the pressure cooker situation of batting at a critical juncture for a team which has been consistent in losing the last three matches. In addition to that he was facing the deadliest bowler who is the highest wicket taker in the history of Test Cricket and One day internationals (Muralidharan). On top of it ,he missed the third ball heightening the pressure.Only3 balls left to make 6 runs.Adding to the vows, there was only one wicket left which incase lost, will add a 4th consecutive loss to the team.
Any batsman who is facing at least one of the above situations confront the ball ferociously and go for a big shot giving a full on swing to the bat with their maximum power for a six or four.Every one of the 30K audience in the stadium, the countless viewers of SetMax, the commentators, the experts across all TV channels...everyone expected the same - A full blown shot from the Man who had hit six sixes in six balls in the history of T20.
Contrary to the expectations, when Muralitharan threw the ball , Yuvaraj who is about to give a full blown shot , changed his strategy , instinctively made a decision depending on the pace of ball and went for a less used reverse sweep which has all the chances to make him either bowled or get him caught.He took the biggest risk.Gone the path that is less travelled. The success rate for a reverse sweep to reach the boudary is far less than a full blown hit because one cannot use one's entire muscle power in that batting position. In such type of compelling instances no batsman dare to go for a reverse sweep. But Yuvraj did and supporters of Punjab celebrated Bhangra yelling "Chak De Phatte."
How did he managed to give a splendid victory to the team that is so consistent in losing. It's not the same sheer muscle power with which he had hit six sixes in the T20 world Cup.There is much more to this shot.
The perfect blending of his skill with the concentration he showed in the brink of that moment and the instinct he had developed, allowed him to change his strategy dynamically which resulted in the master piece of an unconventional shot.
Yes, it all started with his skill which was the outcome of his consistent performance in the previous T20 matches .All those matches served him as the best practicing sessions since they have the same amount of nerve wracking pressure.He got habituated to face such kind of tense and traumatizing situations.Today's circumstance is just another one for him.He was able to keep his cool, able to estimate the pace of the ball precisely and didn't go for a full straight shot just like others do.
Ofcourse , the more we practice the situations that we dread, the better experienced we become , the right kind of instinct we develop , change our game plans and go for the path that is less traveled but hit the bull's eye just the way YuvRaj did today.
But is Practising alone is sufficient.?? then all players can become Sachin Tendulkars , Roger Federers and Michael Schumachers.Am wondering what other characteristics makes a winner - winner. I solicit your opinions based on your experiences. Your contribution to the post would be highly appreciated. Feel free to write your thoughts. Thanks a lot
