Beyond The Boundary
About the Author
Hello, I am Sreejith, an aspiring 13-year-old sports enthusiast from Chennai. From the time I was a baby in a nurse’s arms to now, a mere thirteen years have passed, and I can happily say that the ethos of cricket has been by my side throughout. From the dugout to the crease, the game has shaped me in many ways.
“Familiarity breeds fondness” perfectly expresses my love for cricket and how I look forward to constantly learning, enjoying, and involving myself in the sport. However, a conversation with a former Tamil Nadu coach who has also helped the CSK and Indian national team, deeply impacted my perspective on the game. Until then, I had always believed cricket was only about chasing 30 runs off 4 overs or defending 10 runs in the final over. That conversation challenged my thinking and pushed me to dive deeper into the expertise of T.S. Mohan.
T.S. Mohan
A former India coach during the 1990s and 2000s, a CSK coach during the early seasons, and a Tamil Nadu coach for over 20 years, T.S. Mohan has seen it all. Growing up in Chennai in the 1960s, he developed a deep passion not only for cricket but also for football, ball badminton, hockey, and athletics.
While studying at Vivekananda College, Chennai, he played for and captained his university team on multiple occasions. Having played first-division football and cricket, he was the perfect person for me to interview about the mindset and approach required both on and off the field.
Seeing the Game in the Dressing Room
I always believed that if teammates were happy and fired up, the team would automatically perform well. This was the first idea that changed after my conversation with him. From a coach’s point of view, he made a clear statement on dressing room culture when he explained that “It is very important for a coach to treat all players alike, especially during team meetings, where the message should be addressed to the entire group rather than singling out individuals.”
This resonated with me deeply. In my school’s Under-14 cricket team, I am often seen as one of the older players, which gives me a sense of responsibility toward the younger teammates. From these insights, I learned that I should put myself in the shoes of every player and balance individual interests with the team’s goals. A team, much like a house of cards, depends on every single player, and if one falls, the entire structure is affected.
Players with Attitude Problems
Since I began playing cricket around five years ago, I have come across players who may or may not be talented but believe they are superior to others. Such players often display traits like selfishness or a lack of encouragement toward teammates.
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When I asked sir about this, he gave a rather surprising response. He explained that “Most talented players show some attitude due to immaturity, but over time, they usually grow out of it.” His approach was to encourage them, make them role models for others, and correct mistakes clearly on the field so that the message is conveyed not just to the individual but to the entire team.
Initially, this approach felt unusual, but after reflecting on it, it made sense. Singling out such players often worsens the issue, whereas treating them equally, in both praise and criticism, creates accountability and encourages maturity.
Pressure
Earlier, I believed pressure came mainly from situations, coaches, parents, or teammates. However, what sir shared about real pressure completely reshaped my understanding. He explained that during prestigious tournaments, boards and organizations place heavy expectations on teams, and during selection processes, external influences and personal recommendations often add to the stress.
Despite this, he emphasized that a coach must always prioritize the team’s interests and stand firmly for talent and merit above all else. This opened my eyes to the immense responsibility coaches carry and made me appreciate the pressure they endure to ensure fairness and team success.
Failure
Failure was something I feared deeply. Thoughts like “What if I fail?” or “What will people think?” often affected my performance. When I shared this with him, he told me that “failure is an inevitable part of any sport,” and that a player or team often learns more from failure than from success.
Those words stayed with me. Instead of avoiding failure, we should analyze it and learn how to improve. As Barack Obama once said, “You can’t let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you.” In a highly competitive environment, especially for younger players, fear of failure can be overwhelming. Learning to accept and grow from it is essential, not just in sports but in life.
The Role of a Coach at the Grassroots Level
I have always respected my coaches for helping me improve my skills, but this conversation revealed that a coach’s role, especially at the grassroots level, goes far beyond technique. He explained that “when a child first picks up a bat or a ball, a good coach does not focus on perfection.” Instead, the goal is to create interest and ensure the child returns the next day eager to play.
This made me reflect on the coaches who shaped not only my game but also my character. Their influence extends far beyond the field.
Conclusion
Thank you, sir, for sharing these invaluable insights from your vast ocean of knowledge. This conversation enlightened me and reshaped the way I view cricket, leadership, and growth. These lessons will stay with me not only as a player, but as a person.
