Kaushik, P.O Box: 18–19, Memory Lane, NIT - Trichy
About the team, always.
Cricket- the most popular game in all of India, attracting millions of passionate fans, ready to root for their favorite player and their home colors. All across the country, young boys and girls dream of becoming a part of the stellar team and winning the praises of the audience, one day. The team’s individual styles, from the helicopter shot to the upper cut, are widely emulated and their respective founders idolized for their sheer talent in the game.
For NITT’s ex-cricket captain, Kaushik Killana, it’s never been about personal performance, it’s always been about the team. He aims to have led by the essence of teamwork and coordination; it is clear that there is only one common objective when playing against other teams:
When we play for our college, we are one team- playing for the name on our chests: NIT - Trichy.
As part of the college team, every player has his role to play, and he is honed for his part under the captain’s able leadership. Like a well-oiled machine, as each teammate executes his part perfectly, the fate of the match has no choice but to fall in their favor.
This is well-evidenced by their victory in the recent Inter-NIT tournament hosted on campus. As accounted by the team’s current captain, Mit Surati, this was an especially huge win for the team as this was NITT’s first ever win in cricket, made so much better by having won at their home ground itself. Among familiar faces and outstanding support from the teammates’ friends, the atmosphere also carried the hints of strategy that was applied, the team planning to lay down their best cards and choosing to bowl first, giving themselves time to put pressure on the other team and analyze their playing technique.
A cool 140-odd runs chased down easily by our batsmen, Mit credits the team’s coach on his advice of playing aggressive cricket in the 20 overs that eventually won them the match.
The bonds that form when one is part of a sports team are close to unbreakable, having gone through all kinds of highs and lows while being together. It is precisely how the newcomers learn; they watch their seniors and work with them, imbibing the positive attributes of their leaders and experiencing the different tactics used to approach and achieve their common goals of doing well in tournaments and the like. Apart from being forged through friendships and alliances, a good team bond really helps in the coordination and harmony of a match.
“The bonding has never been better than how it is right now,” Mit admits.
Once everyone gets past the nonexistence of the senior-junior barrier, they realize that everyone is being treated the same way and consequently open up to their teammates. “In fact,” he is proud to say, “we have decided to make two 3rd year players as the vice-captains of the team, instead of the usual way of having a 4th-year vice-captain.” A decision made for them to learn and take up the responsibility of leadership, the final year seniors are doing their bit to leave their team in the best of hands. However, keeping duty and discipline aside, every group needs their dose of fun. Keeping team morale high during practice sessions is as important as the practice sessions themselves; fortunately, there are jokers aplenty in the team to share and maintain good cheer.
Like all sports teams, they have their own pre- and post-match rituals that seem to instill in them the confidence of victory. The pre-match team meetings are taken with the players standing in a fixed order, fondly called Vastu Shastra. Why mess with a winning combination? Kaushik follows his own quirk in this manner, by not moving from a specific position from the podium when he sees the batsman scoring well. After a match, regardless of the result, they discuss the summary of the game and how each player can improve his performance.
When asked to give advice to his juniors, Kaushik has a constant theme to his words, apart from the practical guidance of daily practice and dedication.
Always be the gentleman of the game. At the end of the day, it’s not the player but the game that must triumph. Respect the game, and it will ultimately give you the results you need.
Mit also offers a few words that bring in the same sentiment. “Never give up. Play to win. There are no good or bad opponents- give your best no matter who it is.” At the same time, he places much importance on the limited time the students will get to spend with their team.
Enjoy yourself, and enjoy the game. You’re never really going to get to experience these moments ever again.
