Explorer Horn inspires Kolkata Knight Riders
Psychological part vital for team’s success, says SA-born Swiss
abu dhabi – ‘The impossible exists only until we find a way to make it possible.’ Mike Horn lives by that phrase. In fact, his twitter info says that he ‘lives life because it’s there.’ Ace explorer Horn can be classified into that rare breed of human beings who believe that if you are not living on the edge, you are wasting space.
The South African-born Swiss has faced obstacles, fear, pain and even happiness and elation as he crisscrossed every bit of this beautiful planet Earth. And that has translated into epic adventure stories, which has acted as motivation to others.
He inspired the Indian cricket team to win the World Cup in 2011. Then, he talked up the country of his birth — the South Africa cricket team to win on their tour to England in 2012. And after a stint with Mumbai Indians in 2012, Horn was roped in by the Kolkata Knight Riders ( KKR) for a short stint ahead of the season.
Horn will also have stints in the future with the Indian team after coach Duncan Fletcher was axed and Gary Kirsten was appointed for a second time.
Horn’s motivational speeches have done wonders and he was present at the KKR nets at the Shai-
There will always be peaks, lows, ups and downs
Horn
kh Zayed International Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday morning.
KKR have had a overhaul, changing the entire squad. They retained only captain Gautam Gambhir and West Indies spinner Sunil Narine. With franchise-based cricket seeing players from different nationalities rub shoulders in the dressing room and on the pitch, it would not be the easiest of rides. But Horn said the psychological part was vital and they need to work as a team irrespective of they like their teammate or not.
“I think the psychological part is very important because they need to deal with the pressure. You have got different nationalities, culture. And then to work as a team knowing that you don’t really need to like your teammate but willing to fight it out together on the field is important to establish very early,” Horn said.
He said that turning from being foes to friends was important.
“One failure and some of them get push down into a hole it becomes very difficult to come out of it. There are cases when friends turn on them when they don’t perform. Then it becomes difficult to deal and be in the same circle. While playing Australia or South Africa, for example, they might play like enemies and then to be friends suddenly, is difficult. To breach such things is very important,” he added.
Horn said that players needed to be prepared for the highs and lows of the sport. “Being best prepared for seven weeks maintaining a stable line is important. There will always be peaks, lows, ups and downs. One of the major problem that I have seen in players is the pressure of delivering,” said Horn.
Horn said that he was able to instil team spirit in the Indian team of 2011 and added that the will to win was key for KKR.
“I was able to cultivate a little bit spirit in the mind of the boys when I was with the Indian team and with South Africa with Gary (Kirsten) and it helped. You know, in this format, it is very important to go out there with the will to win and if we can cultivate that in a well balanced team, nothing like it,” said Horn, who has also worked with the South African rugby team, some European football teams and the French sailing team.
The KKR players had positive things to say about Horn’s session.
‘Great first few days training with @KKRiders Also, cannot stop listening to all the stories from @ ExploreMikeHorn, incredible!’ tweeted Australian Pat Cummins.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav tweeted: ‘recovery session ending with some motivational words from / crazy / rock solid @ExploreMikeHorn’