Need for a Sports Psychologist

[vaibhav_delhi]

International cricket these days is more of a mental game. The team which can handle pressure better usually comes out triumphant. In this scenario, mental strength, discipline and conditioning becomes paramount. I feel this area was previously neglected and role of a sports pyschologist was undermined. want to cite few indian players who absorb pressure very well: 1 Laxman: Most people curb their natural game under pressure, but pressure seems to bring his best natural game so much so that sometimes he looks frm a different planet. few examples of his ability are recent tests against SL and Aust and tht epic knock of 281 following on. 2. Sachin: No matter how talented you are, to carry the weight of expectations of fans and play at that level for 21 years requires enormous levels of mental discipline and strength. 3. Dhoni: rarely see him animated however badly the bowlers are getting battered or however tense the match situation is. That calmness effect transcends into the entire team. 4. Harbhajan: Another strong character. The amount of ****** he had to cope by aussie press and fans and then to come up with such strong performances in the ODIs tht followed was a testimony tht this guy also thrives under pressure. It is great that Indian coach Kirsten has brought a Sports Psychologist(Paddy Upton)alongside him and this should be the way forward in future too. ANd we will continue to see mentally strong indian players and winning more as a result. Views please?

[DomainK]

One change one can distinctly notice is that the newer generation of cricketers are far more aggressive than the older generation. A ZAK does not take **** from anyone where a Sreenath used to hear abuses and go back silently for his run up. Harbhajan Singh believes in giving right back, but an Anil Kumble believed in staying calm and quiet. If you compare the 1980 team with the 1998 team, you will find a huge difference in the players characters. Where most people in the old times were helpless against the normal aggression of the Australians or the English or even the Pakistanis, the 1998 team learned to show some serious aggression in terms of cricket. Tendulkar, Dravid and Kumble were our heroes and they countered aggression with aggression in their games. Tendulkar scored heavily in spite of sledgings, Dravid's wicket never came cheap because of abuses. Then if you compare the 1998 team with today's team, you will find more changes in them in terms aggression. Not only they play well under pressure, but the give it back right then and there. if the Aussies mental disintegration did not work on the 1998 team, it has started backfiring on this Indian team. I dont think anyone from the Aussie team will dare do to an Indian today what Slater once did to Dravid. A bright example is the way the Aussies tried to bully BHajji and the way it backfired on Symo. Yuvraj, Gambhir, Sehwag are no-nonsense players and no one messes with them. I think as far as pshychology is concerned, this new Indian generation of cricketers is quite ready to meet whatever challenge the world has to throw. But, even then, it would be a good idea to have a professional prepare these youngsters and help them when they come across anything that might affect them. Counselling is not a bad idea.

[IKnowU]

Im pretty sure the australian team has a sports psychologist. I vaguely remember some of the Indian team members being referred to a sports psychologist for a brief time.

[Shakthi]

Im pretty sure the australian team has a sports psychologist. I vaguely remember some of the Indian team members being referred to a sports psychologist for a brief time.

Sandy gordon 2003 world cup with indian team does it ring any bells.

[vaibhav_delhi]

Sandy gordon 2003 world cup with indian team does it ring any bells.

Great. 2003, we have a sports shrink - we reach the WC finals Last 3.5 years, we have a sports shrink - we attain No.1 test ranking Moral of the story - It is paramount for indian team to have a sports pychologist. I hope the BCCI is listening:)