WV Raman, a former Indian cricketer and an astute coach, has been a guiding pressure in shaping the careers of many budding cricketers. Recognized for his insightful method to teaching, Raman performed a pivotal position throughout his tenure as Tamil Nadu‘s coach, nurturing skills like Ravichandran Ashwin. In an unique interview, Raman shared his candid observations about Ashwin’s early days in cricket, providing an enchanting glimpse into the journey of one in all India’s best spinners.
WV Raman’s sincere tackle Ravichandran Ashwin
When requested about his preliminary impressions of Ashwin throughout his stint as Tamil Nadu’s coach, Raman offered an intriguing response. He admitted that Ashwin didn’t instantly strike him as a future legend.
“He didn’t give me that impression undoubtedly, not that, you recognize, it’s, it’s inconceivable for anyone to assume once you see anyone else, once you see a batter, maybe you possibly can once you see, a wicketkeeper, perhaps you possibly can say. he didn’t maybe have, what you’ll say the qualities that may make you assume he’s a standout, legend within the making. However there’ll be different issues that may clearly present you some sort of indication that that is anyone who’s completely different from the remainder of the others. to simply reply that query in a single line, the very best reply might be that, I’ve at all times maintained or expertise gained from an extended interval that intelligence needn’t essentially be a bonus. As a result of this will generally foster a whole lot of jealousy in the remaining. And that isn’t good for a specific particular person as a result of, there have been many cases that I’ve seen that, intelligence is in some way not confirmed to be as advantageous as it’s made out to be. So, once I noticed Ravichandran Ashwin, I felt that right here is one boy who performs good cricket. He’s additionally very clever, so he must be, dealt with in a sure method. He must be inspired with out letting the others know he’s being inspired due to his intelligence,” Raman remarked in an unique interview with Cricket Occasions, emphasizing how difficult it’s to foretell greatness in a participant, particularly a bowler. Not like batters or wicketkeepers who would possibly exhibit standout qualities early on, spinners usually develop their craft over time.
Raman elaborated that whereas Ashwin lacked qualities that may make one assume he was a legend within the making, there have been refined indicators of his potential. He famous that intelligence may be each an asset and a problem for gamers like Ashwin. “I’ve at all times maintained that intelligence needn’t essentially be a bonus,” he defined. In accordance with Raman, intelligence can generally foster jealousy amongst teammates, which might not be conducive to particular person progress.
Ashwin’s intelligence stood out to Raman, prompting him to deal with the younger cricketer with care. “Right here is one boy who performs good cricket and can also be very clever,” he added. Raman believed it was essential to encourage Ashwin discreetly with out drawing undue consideration to his mind. This nuanced method ensured Ashwin might thrive with out alienating these round him.
The evolution of a spinner: From batter to bowler
Ashwin’s journey from being a gap batter on the junior degree to turning into one of many best off-spinners is exceptional. Arun Karthik, a fellow cricketer, revealed how Ashwin transitioned from batting to bowling after struggling within the U-19 circuit. This swap proved transformative, as Ashwin excelled in his new position and steadily climbed the ranks in home cricket.
Raman highlighted how Ashwin’s potential to query typical knowledge and search solutions set him other than others. He described Ashwin as “his personal man,” somebody who didn’t comply with directions blindly however sought deeper understanding—a trait that ultimately grew to become integral to his success.
A legacy constructed on overcoming challenges
Reflecting on Ashwin’s profession trajectory, Raman likened him to Sachin Tendulkar for “punching above his weight” and overcoming challenges with resilience. Regardless of criticisms about thriving on spin-friendly pitches, Ashwin silenced doubters by turning into India’s second-highest wicket-taker throughout codecs. His adaptability and relentless pursuit of enchancment allowed him to grasp numerous methods and methods in opposition to batters worldwide.
Raman acknowledged that predicting greatness is inconceivable however famous how Ashwin maximized his potential by means of onerous work and innovation, praising his potential to rise above obstacles and carve out an illustrious profession.
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Remodeling Indian girls’s cricket: A coach’s perspective
Past his affiliation with Ashwin, Raman additionally shared insights into his tenure as coach of the Indian girls’s cricket group. Taking cost in 2019 throughout a difficult section for the group, Raman labored tirelessly to rebuild their confidence after a dismal T20 collection loss in opposition to England.
Raman adopted a holistic method to growth—specializing in health, fielding, and psychological conditioning alongside ability enhancement. He organized camps each three months and inspired gamers to face Underneath-19 boys’ quick bowlers to beat apprehensions about tempo bowling. Progressively, the group regained its self-belief and carried out admirably in subsequent collection in opposition to high sides like England and Australia.
Whereas Raman credited the gamers for his or her phenomenal enchancment, he emphasised the significance of making an surroundings conducive to progress. His efforts laid the inspiration for Indian girls’s cricket to compete confidently on the worldwide stage.
“See, to place issues within the correct perspective, I took cost of the group, within the early a part of 2019. Now the primary T20 collection that we performed at dwelling in opposition to England, we misplaced horribly. we would have liked to get 6 of an over. We didn’t get. We wanted to get 10 with 4 wickets in hand and we failed, and I feel we misplaced, that collection, actually horribly. And we had a scenario the place the ladies felt that they weren’t adequate within the format. Now thoughts you, I used to be considering to myself, we’ve a World Cup arising in one other 1 years’ time, and these ladies are completely on the nadir in relation to the self-confidence individually and collectively to carry out as a group. So, then I sat them down. I informed them we have to try to, make sure that, we work on a number of features, In a holistic method, not solely simply upgrading your expertise but in addition your health, your feeling, and so on. So what we did was to try to have a camp as soon as in 3 months, the bodily conditioning camp, after which concurrently the batters would work on the bowling machines on the NCA, the precise guidelines, after which as soon as that bodily conditioning camp was over. we’d have, every week by which we’ll, make the batters play 420 extra innings in opposition to the boys, underneath 19 boys, solely quick bowlers to simply try to eliminate any apprehensions they may have needed to hit the quick bowlers. So steadily they bought over it and, to their credit score, it’s not mine. I can solely inform them. I can solely present them the, Ambiance. I can present them the texture of an open floor and what they should do. However the level is that to their credit score they did phenomenally effectively by way of bettering their health, by way of killing themselves, by way of considering in a different way. And once we went and performed the prize collection, once I noticed them play the rise, I stated, oh, thoughts you, this group can wish to win. As a result of that’s the sort of cricket they performed, and we have been taking part in an increase in opposition to two of the very best sides, England and Australia,” Raman said.
A mentor’s lasting impression
Raman’s reflections on Ashwin’s early days underscore the unpredictability of greatness in cricket. Whereas expertise could not at all times be evident at first look, fostering gamers with care and understanding can unlock their true potential—a precept exemplified by Ashwin’s transformation right into a modern-day nice.
Raman’s contributions lengthen past particular person teaching; his affect on Indian girls’s cricket highlights his potential to encourage groups by means of considerate methods and unwavering help. As cricket continues evolving, mentors like Raman stay instrumental in shaping its future stars.
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