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It doesn't affect me going into a match. The mental preparation for a game is very important. Once I'm done with an exam it's out of my mind. When I have time to think entirely about cricket I feel really happy and relieved. Already, I feel I'm into tomorrow's game. It's only when I'm out of cricket for a period, like a month, when it's a terrible time in a cricketer's life. In a year I miss out on two or two-and-a-half months of cricket. That's the off season for a cricketer, a time to work on skills, prepare yourself, and I don't get that because I need to study too.

To a large extent studies do matter. Not for personal life, but life in cricket. I'm experiencing it now. I'm able to make out the difference in my cricket since I started studying engineering. I can't explain how or why, but once I've started to do engineering my cricket has gone up by leaps and bounds. Initially it was tough to adjust. But once I got used to the on-off way of things, my thinking and my stability in mindset has gone up.

I wasn't a very good student till school but that's probably because we were spoon-fed subjects. Once cricket and engineering came together I was not attending all the lectures but had to keep up with the syllabus and do all the learning myself. When you're in form you're happy and want to go out there and play everyday. It's like that with studying. Once you learn something and develop your thinking, you want to study more. That sharp thinking is very essential in cricket. I
tell kids that, those who are 10 or 12 years old and come to the nets at Chemplast.

You have to take cricket as education. Then you'll enjoy it. If you see it as a game full of pressure, where you have to deliver runs or wickets every day, then cricket and education become separate.

After writing an exam today I relish going to the ground because I get the feeling I can be a master at my game. Even if I've studied all there is to study, I get a nervous and twitchy feeling before the exam. Till I get the question paper I'm nervous. This somehow gives me a little bit extra when I'm on the field. I'm able to make decisions on the field just a bit quicker.

Bombay getting the better of Karnataka was a huge surprise. They're a relatively young side with players like [Ajinkya] Rahane, [Iqbal] Abdullah and Prashant Naik. I've played with all these players at the Under-17 levels. It's great to see players like this progress along. We're at a stage when India is looking at the next generation and this makes it a very interesting phase in domestic cricket. There are batsmen in the Indian team who may play only for three years or so. Someone performing well in domestic cricket might not get a break immediately, but in two or
three years there are going to be spots.

Towards the end of the careers, senior cricketers may play only Tests. This means they'll be available for Ranji matches. It would be ideal if the Sachins and Rahuls played domestic cricket for a season at least even after they quit international cricket. It will make people like me understand where I stand against people who have made it to the next level.

I think you have a valid point. I am not sure the justification you have given is correct. See education teaches you to think. Contrary to popular beliefs IQ is learnt not born with.

Cricket is a thinking mans game. I am pretty sure having a high IQ over a low IQ will make a significant difference to your game. But I dont think having a super high IQ over a high IQ will make any difference. Its a case of diminishing returns.

On the same note lets look at the present cricket team. Arguably, the two most 'decent' and non-controversial cricketers are Rahul and Anil. And, they have a Bachelors degree. I think there is a correlation.

Hi Ashwin,

While I can see how your pusruit of engineering studies might develop your thinking abilities, it may not add to your core cricket skill. Most engineering colleges in Chennai do not have a sporting culture and have terrible teams which really hinders one's growth as cricketer. In contrast students who pursue arts or sciences can enjoy great cricket facilities (Gurunanak, Loyala.) So cricketers looking for education in madras might be better off without engineering.

I agree that sachin/Rahul playing 1 year of domestic cricket after they retire would be terrific. Has any indian cricketer ever done that?

There is no doubt in fact that education helps you with cricket... It becomes another outlet, and takes your mental energy away from just thinking about cricket all the time. Furthermore, intellect is just simply a tool that is applicable to any situation in life- the mental growth which occurs during studying, the reasoning skills that develop, are extremely valuable for cricket players and politicians alike. Anyway, I guess the best example to prove my point would be Stuark Clark of Australia. He is known to forget all about cricket during his off-time as he also studies business (or something) at graduate level. Because cricket is no longer his only concern, he doesn't over analyze his playing too much, nor does he have too much time to celebrate success OR fret over failure.

I agree Ashwin , but i have a sneaking feeling that the players who dont over analyze, perform best in the heat of battle, bcoz they give free rein to instinct, rather than suffer analysis palaysis. Think about it. Also, while i know ur not to blame, i want to know why TN cricket is at a stage wher a maharashtra with 10 uncapped players was more than a match. I've always maintained we had the best league structure and the best all round talent, but last couple of seasons i'm not sure. Why did we juggle so many players? Why have we repeatedly played dull, uninspiring cricket when urgency and a cricketing nous were the order of the day, esp last season, and worryingly the 1st game now? I cant help but feel WV is a huge influence, but i could be wrong. What do u think cld be the reasons? It''d be grt if u could touch base on this at raajesh70 at rediffmail. Cheers and hope u guys have a fantastic season. Btw, i'd love other genuine cricket lovers to respond too, and would prefer the cynics to lay off:D I'm still a believer:-))

I had a sort of a similar profile..i played Cooch Behar Under-19 and under-22 cricket for Vidarbha while doing my enginnering.It certainly helps to release some pressure as you feel secure in life for your education.However,spending time in both could get really tedious as you move into your 3rd and final year.The Real Acid test lies after you finish your engineering when u'll have to make a career choice.It is easiest to fall a victim to the Rat race culture and sacrifice your dream for a "Better" career..i made that foolish choice and am amongst the millions who lead an unsatisfied and mundane life...Please live your dream an continue to live your dream..i guess now with the high pay-hikes for first-class cricketers, the decision could be simpler.

I'm a keralite, but a very keen observer and lover of Tamil Nadu cricket. I strongly feel that TN would not proceed in this years Ranji league much further with the kind of attack they possess now. Their bowling attack with the noble exception of offspiner Ashwin looks quite mediocre with pace bowling being the really worry. Amarnath & Ganapathy looks no more than ordinary . The curious case has been that of Yo Mahesh. He was such an exciting talent two seasons ago. But after watching him in action in the recent challenger series and some other televised domestic matches one felt that he has made little or no progress as a fast bowling talent and in fact his pace and technique seems to have deteriorated and looks to be low on confidence. Disturbingly he seems to be unsettled with his bowling technique and seems to be yet another victim of muddled coaching on the part of the pace gurus that straddle the cricket circles these days. If my memory is correct Mahesh was such an exciting talent with a easy action and a lovely in dipper in his armoury. Another different but quite relevant issue which I would like to bring to this forum for discussion is the role of MRF pace foundation in grooming pace bowlers from Tamil Nadu. Its seems strange that despite being based in Tamil Nadu and after all these years since it inception, MRF pace foundation has failed to unearth any pace bowling talent from TN. If am correct Balaji was not an original find of MRF, it was only later that he had some training at MRF pace foundation.

Excellent article Ashwin. Congrats for a briliant allround performance in the first match.

Juggling studies and sports will be difficult for sure. This season you are lucky. All the Ranji matches are at home. So you are saved from travelling.

While it takes some effort to do both, studies definitely helps any sportsperson understand lots of things better. The latest technologies used in analysis, boi-mechanics,..etc are a few examples. Any sportspersons' thinking changes with good quality education and the analytical ability to handle situations improve. The best thing about education is it helps people to think more and in a better way. This is my view.

Hi Ashwin,
I completely agree with your point. Having done my schooling and Engineering at Tamil Nadu, the subjects which we were taught in school didnt make is think and I also felt very difficult in Engineering. Thinking hard will make us feel relieved and we feel that we are on the right track. It will motivate ourselves to the further tasks. Though I am not that good a cricket player, I've felt that after a very good study I could play good cricket. I can relate to your experiences.

I've been following your performances in Ranji Cricket closely and I'm very happy. You are doing consitently very well. I'm very sure that the doors to Indian Cricket is not far away. All the Best!!

- Ram

" I had a mathematics exam to write today. It's tough to juggle studies and cricket - if there is a practice session in the morning I go to the nets and completely forget my studies." Maybe you've forgotten to mention the time you also took to blog. I can understand that it takes more than a handful of time especially when one blogs in a public space like this to be read especially by domestic-cricket-aficionados in the midst of a crucial match and a demanding exam like Engineering Mathematics made more dreadful by the college lecturers.
Anyways, good luck to the TN ranji team for the rest of the match and your semester results!

PS: By the way how long did you take to blog?

Ashwin, I hope you will be able to bowl Tamilnadu to victory if we manage a lead of 250 plus in the second innings against Bombay. Relax and do your best. Best of luck!

A cricketer can perform well only when he enjoys the game. The same applies to studies also. Pressure does not bring the best from an individual always. A clear relaxed mind is the best bet. I have watched Kris Srikkanth during his college days in Chennai club cricket. He used to enjoy his batting and fielding so much that everytime he was on the field you could see that clearly. Worrying also eats up crucial energy which may leave you drained at the end of the day.

To answer Ramani's question. Yes I am from Chingleput.

Hi Ashwin,

Your article is a "must-read" for any kid wanting to pursue cricket and studies together. Particularly your mental preparation and work ethics are points to be noted by anybody who wants to do different things in life and still achieve same kind of success in all the fields.

All the very best for your efforts in cricket and studies.

Hoping to see you as an "ALLROUNDER" for India soon.

Take Care.

Cheers
Raghavendra

Ashwin, I can really understand what you are going through. I was in a similar situation prior to my 12th grade exams. Many sportsmen have been in such circumstances- Venkat, Prasanna, Srikkanth ... I remember the Great Prasanna had to take couple of years off from cricket to finish up his engineering. In my case, I started playing division cricket when I was 14 years old. I was doing very well and showed a lot of promise, but was never selected for the State's under-17 or juniors due to favoritism. During those days if you represented the State in any sport, then your engineering/medical seat was assured under the sports quota. When I did not get selected for the State juniors team, I talked to my father to put pressure on the selectors. My father never believed in such steps, but seeing my plight talked to his friend, one of the greatest off-spinners to have played cricket. But the advice I got from this person was that I should focus on my studies and not take cricket seriously. He felt that through his recommendation I could perhaps only go as far as representing the Zone in the long run, but when it came to representing the country, bigger politics would come into play. Although initially I was disappointed with his advice, I took it in the right spirit and focused on my 12th grade exams (make or break exam), did very well, and secured an engineering seat through the merit quota. By now I had decided that cricket would not be my main career and did not play any cricket during my first year in engineering college. This helped me secure ranks in the first two semesters for the university which comprised of about 500 students. Subsequently, I started playing cricket just as a hobby and I represented my college which had one of the best teams (we won most of the tournaments.) In fact we had about 7-8 players in our team who were very good in studies as well, but could not decide which career to pursue. Many of them played Ranji and Duleep Trophy tournaments, but none represented the country, and had hard times finding good jobs. In my case, I pursued with my academics, went to USA, got my Phd, held faculty positions, and have been living in USA for the last 20 years. I play cricket in USA for fun (By the way, my team here has some ex-Ranji and Duleep Trophy players too!) I would consider myself very lucky when compared to some of my engineering college teammates. However, the situation today is much better for cricketers. There is lot of money on and off the field…. maybe your math skills may come in handy while counting money  I fell you will have to identify your PASSION, listen to your heart beat, and EXCEL in whichever path you take.

I wish you the very best.

Ram

Ashwin-

I am pained to see the performance of the TN Ranji team. There is very little grit in the team's performance, viewing the results against Mumbai. Where are our best players? I fail to understand how people like Yo Mahesh, Amarnath, Ganapathy and Naresh figure in the team. They have hardly performed in any major first class match. I may be harsh, but the fact is, the team seems to be going through the motions.

We had Jesuraj coming out very strongly. Where is he these days? We lost a few players to the ICL, but I would have expected the TNCA to persuade, Sadagopan Ramesh and Sharath to play for TN this season. That has not been the case. Sad state of affairs. Not sure where we are headed?

Mr.Ashwin, Education certainly enhances your thinking abilities, and prepares you to be mentally tough in any professional career you choose.Cricket, as you know,though requires talent, Attitude and skills, also calls for mental abilities to plan and bring about the downfall of the opposing side.Your Engineering skills, especially Mathematics, can be greatly put to use while playing the game.It is often said that a busy man can always get an extra time and effort to do a work. It calls for a balancing act. If you observe, many test Cricketers of yester years In the Indian Team were academically qualified- Venkataraghavan, Prasanna, Srikkanth, Satwendar singh, were engineers;Kumble is a recent example. Indian team then were full of educated people.I am sure if you strive that bit extra hard, you could be a test cricketer.Chennai, has all the infrastructure for budding Cricketers.Your education should help you to develop into a "Gentleman Cricketer with a tough mind, possessing a strong Character".All the best of luck to you.