New Delhi, August 30: Karan Sharma, captain of Kashi Rudras, has credited his batting improvement to training with experienced coach and former Indian cricketer Praveen Amre in Mumbai.
He stepped out of his comfort zone, which significantly enhanced his power-hitting and timing. However, he acknowledged that changing long-standing batting habits posed a considerable mental and physical challenge.
Often seeking guidance from his childhood coach Rajan Sachdeva to refine his game, Sharma spent ten days with Amre before the season. This focused training allowed him to make subtle technical adjustments to his posture and swing. As a result, Sharma has topped the run charts, scoring 298 runs at an average of 37.25 and a strike rate of 146.8 over nine matches.
In an exclusive interview, Sharma shared, “I work extensively on my batting with my childhood coach Rajan Sachdeva. He understands my game well. Before this season, I decided to try something new, so I went to Mumbai to work with Praveen Amre.”
He elaborated, “During those ten days, I gained a deeper understanding of my batting and what I could do to improve. Amre helped me with a couple of technical aspects, believing I could enhance my game by refining them. Consequently, I noticed changes in my shots and power, and I began timing the ball better.”
Sharma also mentioned that patience was crucial in altering his old batting techniques, as initial difficulties were inevitable before results became apparent. “In those ten days, changing anything in your batting is not easy. As a batter, altering your natural style-especially when it has been ingrained in your muscle memory for a long time-can be challenging. The first month was tough, but then I started enjoying batting, and things began to click.”
Looking ahead, Sharma plans to return for more training before the next Ranji Trophy season. He believes that if a batter is not continually improving, their game will decline. “That’s why it’s essential for a batsman to keep evolving,” he stated.
Kashi Rudras, two-time champions, currently sit third in the points table with eight points. After a series of four consecutive losses, Sharma emphasized the importance of staying positive and focusing on the process. This mindset led the team to a remarkable 67-run victory against Noida Kings, where Sharma scored a blistering 102 runs off 51 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes.
“Everything is going well now. After a strong start, we faced a slump, losing three or four matches. Winning like this boosts the dressing room atmosphere, enhancing morale. The venue change also added excitement, making us feel we could achieve more. The dressing room vibe is great. Winning naturally improves team spirit. However, we’ve also experienced losing streaks, and we strive to remain positive. We should focus on what works for us,” Sharma explained.
Discussing the importance of staying grounded before crucial matches, Sharma stressed that it’s more vital to focus on executing small tasks correctly rather than worrying about outcomes. “I’m a person who believes in the process. That’s why I try to concentrate on the things that matter for winning. I focus on those aspects within the team and my mindset, rather than just thinking about winning,” he added.
Sharma emphasized, “What matters more is how we win and what we need to do right, even if it means paying attention to the finer details. I try to focus on the small strategies for each batter. My personality shapes how I stay present, as our game revolves around living in the moment.”
He concluded, “That’s why we practice living in the moment. We try not to look too far ahead or dwell on the past because things move quickly in the tournament. You could be playing ten matches in 20 days. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that when you come in the next day, the previous match’s win or loss doesn’t cloud your mind.” Having already led Kashi Rudras to two titles, Sharma stated that defending the title is a significant motivation, but the team’s primary focus remains on addressing immediate strategic needs.
“The biggest motivation for Kashi Rudras is to win the trophy, but I believe that consistently winning is an even greater incentive for any team or player. However, we must also ensure we focus on the next match and not think too far ahead or behind. We should concentrate on what’s happening now and all the little things that can enhance our performance, rather than worrying about future finals. From a team perspective, we need to focus on what’s essential at that moment and time.”