After nurturing the Assam team into a force to reckon with, Sanath Kumar is at the helm of the Andhra team in the ongoing 2016-17 season. While the baton of captaincy has been handed to Hanuma Vihari, who has joined Andhra this season, the former Karnataka player is appointed as the head coach of the Ranji Trophy squad.
Under the watchful eye of Sanath Kumar Assam were elevated from Group C and reached the Ranji Trophy semi-finals the next season (2015-16). He is now again guiding Andhra, who were relegated to Group C after finishing last in Group B during the 2015-16 season. Asked about his body of work, where he has and works with teams striving to make their mark, the coach said, “Our job – coaching, is like that. You should not worry about which team you are handling. Whatever standard they are at, if we are able to lift them to the next level then that gives you a lot of satisfaction; that’s my only thing.”
So, what does he enjoy the most about coaching? Sanath Kumar says, “I enjoy the challenge. I really don’t think about the result. I just focus on the process of what I am supposed to do - how I am going to help them out, mentally how I am going to support them, back them and things along those lines. Small small things technically help them what are the things that I can do. And also create a very good atmosphere in the dressing room (so) ask the players to back each other and all those sort of things. What is the right thing which a team needs I just do that. In a match I tell them to go session by session. I will never push them on the result part of it and all those things. I tell them to try to win maximum sessions, if you do that, then rest of the things will happen. Once you go in, give your hundred percent to that session so that you enjoy. I get them to set small targets.”
While he works with players on the game and it’s technical aspects both individually and as a team, the coach also works on team building and motivational aspects with his wards. Elaborating on that, he said, “We have introduced system like appreciating the partnerships instead of individual score so, if there is a partnership of fifty – (we) clap and encourage and so on for all those sort of things. There is a fine for wide balls and no balls, poor effort, or when you throw a wicket and those kinds of things. We all – the support staff decide. It makes it more interesting.”
Speaking about his team’s strengths and challenges of his young team, he said, “Andhra have a very good batting side and their medium pace is pretty good, but the spin department has to improve. That is one area that we are looking at.”
“He (Hanuma Vihari) is a good captain. He is basically from Andhra. He is a good addition to the team as a captain as a player,” he said about the new skipper of the side this season.
“The problem is that of the bench strength. We have very limited players. However, now they are (working towards) changing (that). They are introducing a system. They are coming up with a lot of academics and also a lot of outstation coaches are coming and coaching (there) which in my opinion is making a difference. If they keep backing it up and work hard at (building) the local cricket system then according to me it will make a big difference. Once you start producing players where in you build enough bench strength, competition then automatically things improve.”
Asked about the team’s preparations he said, “Unfortunately I joined them about 15 days before the season so I wasn’t around then. I am also getting to know the players now so; I probably need little more time,”
“However, they have prepared in their own way. They have played a lot of matches. They played matches in Mumbai and they entered the KSCA tournament. In addition to playing all these quality matches, they had a high-performance camp where Bharat Arun and Sridhar came and worked with them. So the preparation ahead of the season has been good,” he elaborated.
While the team works its way forward, when asked about the goals for the season, Sanath Kumar said, “I ask them to take it one game at a time. And the main aspect is to take it session by session. In the process results will come.”
“We have already worked out some plans like which are the teams we have a chance to take an outright win and how to approach and which are the teams we have to focus (more) on picking up the first innings lead. Strategies of those types are being worked out,” he mentioned.
Discussing if coaches have to prepare the players differently while playing at a neutral venue and of their is also a difference in strategy, Sanath Kumar said, “It definitely makes a difference, and in my opinion it is a huge challenge not only for the players but the support staff as well because nothing is in your hand. When you were playing home and away games at least at home you are aware of the conditions and become aware of the combination of playing 11 that you can field. Here (in this format) I really cannot make out what sort of a wicket is there so it is a very difficult thing (proposition is in that sense). You can only go by the history, but we are not sure so it is a real challenge. According to me it is a fantastic challenge!”
“I tell players not to worry about the wicket part at all. It is about doing whatever is in our hand and do it to best of our abilities and control the controllable. If you start worrying about it, it is going to put unnecessary pressure on you. The condition is the same for the other team as well so why worry; be positive about it. Now they are ready to play,” he concluded.
