Manabendra Ghosh: From coach to mentor

Looking at some of the unique methods that Ghosh uses to train his wards, you understand what he means. For instance, during knock sessions, batsmen are asked to chalk-mark the exact spot where the ball has pitched. Ghosh uses support staff who act like ball-boys in tennis court. The idea is to intensity concentration.

Also, it grounds the boys well in—what Ghosh calls—the five principles of batting: watch the ball, keep the head still, judge the length, go alongside the line of the ball and select the right stroke.

"When a batsman is not getting runs, we detect the fault-lines in these five areas," he says but reminds that in order to travel to the highest level, sportsmen need more than merely strong fundamentals.

Ghosh believes that devotion, finding the right coach and desire are central to a sportsman's life. He cautions that these words should not be used lightly.

He elucidates, "When I talk about a cricketer's devotion, I equate it with earnest love. I compare his intensity to that of a mother's love for her child. Still it may not ensure success.

"Role of a coach (or a guru at a higher level) is significant here. No player can bloom to his full potential without the right guiding hand. Moreover, even the coach's devotion towards the game and his pupil should be as intense for a talent's creation — something that Ramakant Achrekar had in abundance for Sachin Tendulkar.

"Finally it's the cricketer's desire that takes him a step further. Can he practice and train with the same zeal and energy regardless of lack of infrastructure and irrespective of what returns cricket gives him?"

Perhaps it's this quality that has helped Ghosh shrug off the frustrations of not getting adequate infrastructure that is a must to continue this work at a larger scale. Ghosh is determined to persevere nevertheless even as he is waiting for Tiwary's career to flourish.

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