Trio thrill for VVS Sports Academy trainees

Then, they got down to chewing on their experience as the trio answered curious queries that ranged from building stamina to controlling aggression to getting up after being knocked down.

The ground reality first. Opener Shikhar drove a point straight into the young minds. “There are no shortcuts to success, it’s a long process,” he said before narrating his own experience. “As a young cricketer, I have had to lug my cricket kit and travel in the city bus to practice and back home.”

Facing the heat is another important ingredient. “Sweating it out will stand you in good stead. Even today, if I have to score a century, I’ll need to toil in the sun for at least three hours,” Shikhar explained.“You’ve got to love the sun and the heat. Be honest on the ground and put in the hard yards at practice,” concurred Ishant. “But don’t neglect your studies,” quipped Bhuvi, before highlighting the harsh reality, “a cricketer has a set playing life, say till he is 35, or 40 if you are exceptional. After that you’ll have to fall back on your education in life.”

More training tips trickled. “Never hold yourself back from asking your coaches a lot of questions,” was a piece of advice from Shikhar. In tune with his bowling, Bhuvi swung in a beautiful line. “I have read somewhere that the Masters have failed more times than the beginners have tried,” he said to a thunderous applause. “It’s about motivating yourself always.” How do you prepare for a match, one kid asked Shikhar. “I always practice like I’m playing a match. Couple of days before the game I do a lot of gym to pump up my muscles,” he said to whoops of laughter all around, before continuing, “mental fitness is important too, so I meditate to keep myself calm… I also do yoga for the inner soul.”

“Fitness is of utmost importance to a cricketer, especially since we play in all three formats. Also, there is no off-season for us, so I do a lot of running on the ground… we have to be on our toes, always,” Bhuvi sighed.

Ishant batted for the quicks. “Fast bowling is the most difficult aspect of cricket. Unlike a batsman or a spinner, a fast bowler has to run a lot and possess a lot of physical strength,” he said even as Laxman and Shikhar giggled by his side.

He then dealt with the downside. “Yes, fast bowlers also tend to get injured more often but you’ve got to stay positive and move on in life. Certain things are not in your control — I have seen ups and downs in my career,” an emotional Ishant said.

One budding bowler wanted to know how Bhuvi would come back after getting hit. “Mental fitness is important for a bowler,” the seamer said. “If you keep working on your strengths as well as the batsman’s weakness, you will find a way out. You need to give your 100 per cent.” Those words, the last sentence especially, should go a long way in shaping up many a successful career.