Developing Champions in Cricket: A Book That Goes Beyond the Boundary

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

Cricket has travelled a remarkable distance in India. Once confined largely to a handful of metropolitan centres, the game today has captured the imagination of children in the smallest towns and remotest corners of the country. Television, the IPL, and countless rags-to-riches stories have transformed cricket into a dream that knows no geographical boundaries. Every youngster now believes that with talent, guidance and opportunity, the journey to the top is possible.

 

It is against this backdrop that Developing Champions in Cricket, authored by noted journalist Vedam Jaishankar, assumes significance. More than a coffee table book, it is a thoughtful guide for parents, coaches and young cricketers embarking on their cricketing journey.

 

The Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy, the oldest private cricket academy of its kind in the country, deserves enormous credit for pioneering the "pay and play" concept when coaching was largely the preserve of state associations. Brijesh Patel recognised early that quality coaching deserved professional recognition and remuneration, ensuring that aspiring cricketers received the best guidance from accomplished coaches.

 

Today, while cricket academies have mushroomed across the country, the Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy continues to be the benchmark. Nearly 500 youngsters train there, each with dreams of varying proportions. Some aspire to wear the India cap, while many simply wish to enjoy the game and become better players. Both ambitions are equally valid, for sport enriches life regardless of where one eventually finishes.

 

Vedam Jaishankar, who spent several years coaching at the academy, brings together that rare combination of a journalist's eye and a coach's experience. The result is a book that answers questions many parents hesitate to ask. How does one choose the right academy? What equipment is appropriate? How important is the coaching environment? What should parents realistically expect? These practical issues are seldom addressed in cricket literature.

 

One of the book's greatest strengths is its emphasis on the coach's role beyond technique. Brijesh Patel rightly points out that every child is different. Coaching cannot follow a rigid template because learning abilities, temperament and physical attributes vary enormously. The anecdote about G. R. Vishwanath's bat handle being specially modified to suit his grip beautifully illustrates that champions are shaped by understanding individual needs rather than imposing uniformity.

 

Equally relevant is the book's focus on creating a safe, nurturing environment where children are protected from unhealthy influences, bullying and undue pressure. Skill development is important, but character building is equally so.

 

The publication itself reflects exceptional quality. Supported by long-time academy patron Anand Dadu, it features striking photographs by veteran photojournalist Bhagyaprakash and thoughtful production assistance from Manasa Murari and Shalmala Shastri.

 

Developing Champions in Cricket fills a gap that few writers have attempted to address. It is not merely about producing international cricketers. It is about introducing children and parents to the values, discipline and joy of cricket. In doing so, Vedam Jaishankar has produced a book that deserves a place on the bookshelf of every cricket-loving family. It is both an appreciation of the game's expanding horizons and a practical roadmap for those taking their very first steps onto the cricket field.