The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : All-round training for TN probables

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All-round training for TN probables

Special Correspondent

Probables to undergo fitness screening tests
A three-day workshop on mental conditioning also included

CHENNAI: The probables for the Tamil Nadu cricket squad are set to attend a comprehensive pre-season program before the Ranji Trophy Super League which gets underway in the first week of November.

The preparation will begin here at Sriraman Hall in the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday with a three-day workshop on mental conditioning directed by Dr. Kinjal Suratwala, who heads the Sports Science department in the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Mental fitness

“What will be stressed is the importance of preparing mentally for the season ahead,” said W.V. Raman, the Tamil Nadu coach. “The mind is a monkey, and the cricketers will have to learn to manage their emotions, both the success so it doesn’t affect them and the disappointment so they don’t get depressed. Stability and balance don’t have to do just with the postures on the field, but also the mental aspect of cricket.”

The probables will undergo fitness screening tests over the next few days, before sitting for talks on ‘Sports Injuries Prevention and Management’ and ‘Fluid Replacement during Practice and Games’ by Dr. T. Madhu, a specialist in sports medicine and orthopaedics.

A month-long affair

The month-long cricket skills camp, under Raman and assistant coach J. Gokulakrishnan, will commence on October 1. A yoga instructor will work with the group for the duration of the camp.

“The focus in terms of bowling skills will be on discipline,” said Raman.

“There’s been a fair bit of progress from the bowlers on that front, and the accent will be on improving the consistency, which will be critical for the Ranji season. For the batsmen, apart from individual work, the preparation will deal with being more aware of which deliveries to leave, which is an important part of batting.”

The nets, centre-wicket and the fielding sessions will cease between October 12 and 19, when the group tours outside Tamil Nadu to play practice matches.

“It’s important to have match practice against quality attacks on different surfaces just before the season starts,” said Raman.

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