Coaching Camp

Been selected as a sports player for most of the sports. This was while I was studying in 6th Std. in St.Francis’College (with School) combined in Lucknow. We were divided into 4 Houses-St.Andrews, St. Patrick’s, St.George & St Francis’ House. I had to represent the St.Francis’ House. I will never forget the services of my Physical trainer PT Master Sir Parker who imparted a lot of his knowledge to make me into a sports person. Been transferred to Bangalore I had to miss his services on hand.

As we settled in Bangalore I had to attend cricket coaching camp organised by the school in which I was studying. We had to report in the sports field by 7:30 am latest by 7:40 am. Never later than this. We were then asked to run 6 rounds around this field and then this was followed by stretching exercises. Then we were imparted batting skills, fielding skills, bowling skills & wicket keeping skills. We were taught how to grip the bat as lightly as possible for stroking the ball. In the fielding department we had to run towards the ball thrown by the coach, collect it and throw at the stumps in one go!! No balls and wide balls were the main focus in the bowling department. As I do have long hands I was also imparted wicket-keeping skills. Not like the other wicket keepers of today I used to stand up and keep rather than sit and I was advised by the coach to collect the ball in my hands as it passed by the wickets and keep my legs together rather than apart while collecting the ball so that the ball does not pass through the legs. Our training used to finish by 9:30 am by which we had to report for our daily classes.