New coach’s success mantra helps Nath and Co in winning
LUCKNOW : After winning their maiden Ranji Trophy in 2005-06, Uttar Pradesh could continue their good run in the top domestic event for a few years only under the tutelage of former India cricketer Gyanendra Pandey.
Thereafter, Uttar Pradesh cricket bosses did many experiments like roping in former greats of Team India like Venkatesh Prasad and Manoj Prabhakar as head coaches but none could inspire the side to regain its old form.
However, the new season is altogether a different one for one of the best sides in the country. Now, the team has an energetic and performing skipper Akshdeep Nath, who has a good support of youngsters, and a very experimental coach Mansur Ali Khan, who comes from Karnataka where winning remains a habit of the team.
All this has been making a big difference in the team’s performance as Uttar Pradesh has so far notched up three wins to remain at the second place in Elite Group C with 24 points, four points behind leader Rajasthan.
“It’s all the result of reposing faith in players. Now, there is no space for chopping and changing in the side after every match. Players are feeling secured and giving their best,” coach Mansur said on Thursday.
“In fact, there was a sense of insecurity among the players in the past and it was reflecting on their performances. If you keep changing team in every match, it will have a negative impact on players’ moral as they will start playing for self not for the team.”
“One can see that barring a few like Ankit and Shiva, who have gone on national duty with India A, we haven’t changed anyone in the side in the last five matches,” said Mansur, adding, “I have my plans for the team’s success and I am happy that boys are doing well.”
He, however, accepted that personal understanding with each and every player helped him make them more confident.
“I have been with the players from January this year and at a tournament at Bengaluru where we emerged champions and stayed together for almost a month. This made a lot of difference as I had assured all the performers to be in the side this season.”
“My experiments have yielded good results so far. Execution of planning is being done well by the boys. So far, we haven’t lost even a single game and have notched up three wins, including two outright,” he said, adding, “Cricket is all about the mindset and we have been working on it and getting good results.”
He also admitted that he managed to let everyone believe that they all have the guts to play for Team India in future but for that they needed to do well in the domestic matches.
“Yes, I told the boys always to think about playing for Team India, and that’s why everyone is putting his best foot forward,” said Mansur, who happened to the assistant coach of the side last season.
On the remaining matches, including the one against Jharkhand starting here Friday, Mansur said there was no pressure on the team.
“It’s an important match, but for us it’s like any other match in the league. There is no issue of any pressure of being the home side.”
Batting coach Parvinder Singh too admired the team’s showing this season.
“There is a lot of change in the perspective of the boys and that’s a reason of success so far. There is a special emphasis on fielding and fitness of the players.”
“I am too enjoying my new role with the team. Everyone is liberal in the team, including the coaches and the management, and the best thing of this set up is the players are allowed to express and discuss things,” he said, adding, “I have played cricket for UP for a long time so I know what it takes to bring the best out of a batsman.”