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Once it is certain you are confined to the reserves, some coaches keep a keen eye on the reaction of the player. He is expected to take the blow on the chin and not sulk, as if he does sulk, he is perceived to not be a team man. He is not expected to be relaxed and smile either as it could be taken that he is happy to be on the sidelines and does not want to play.

If the dressing rooms are small, the reserve player has to make room for the players, and in some rare instances, has to keep their kit bag in some adjoining room. He also has to ensure that he identifies each player’s kit bag so that he can cater to the requirement of the player like a sweater, glove, cap, shoe, etc.

Once the game begins, he has to work overtime to keep the players hydrated by making nimbu paani, salt water, electrol, or any carbo-drink and ensure adequate supply either on the boundary ropes or at the fall of a wicket if the side is fielding, and at any available instance when his side is batting.

He also has to play the role of a messenger and communicate to the captain or players in the middle about inputs regarding strategies, field placements or shot selection from the coach, or should I say coaches as there are at least three coaches as a part of the support staff now-a-days.

He has to understand and interpret sign convention; a batsman can ask for a change of grip, change of glove, a batting tape, cap, helmet and he makes the signals accordingly. One has to pick it up and respond quickly; players and coaches often let the reserves know sternly if there is any delay, if the players are not well looked after.

During breaks, if a player wants to dry his clothing or equipment, the reserve has to keep the stuff in the sunlight or use the dryer, if a washing machine is available. If the side is batting, the batsman might ask the reserve to bring him some lunch.

After catering to all these needs, the reserve has to train hard during the breaks, to ensure that he maintains his fitness levels as they are conceived to drop due to over-eating. They have to keep hitting balls to keep the form going, or bowl a few balls to keep the rhythm going, all during a lunch or a tea break and quickly return to the dressing room on resumption of play.

Often, during tournaments when there is less likelihood of a player playing, he does not get to bat in the net. A quiet word or reassurance from an understanding captain or coach can make a world of a difference to the reserves as they have to do all these duties selflessly.

All this is fine, but fringe players are often the soft target in the next team selection as the easiest way out for the selectors is to axe the player who has not got the opportunity to perform.

All I can suggest is, become such good and efficient players that you are picked in the playing XI quickly or stay at home as the longer you stay in the bench, the chances of progressing deteriorate.

Hi Paras,
I think I disagree with you on the last statement. You may have a point about chances deteriorating the longer you are on bench, but that definitely is no reason to send the message out to youngsters to stay at home.
I think bench period, in cricket or in any walk of life, is as important or more important than being in the playing XI.
It's the time when a man comes face to face with himself, a time when he introspects, a time when he learns most about himself and his game - much more than he would by practising in the nets, a time when he challenges himself and with a little bit of luck makes it to the XI by sheer power of will and perserverence. It is period when a players character is tested; if he is able to think beyond himself and about himself.
I think bench time not only makes a player a better player but also hopefully a better person.
Nevertheless, I still enjoyed your post. Keep'em coming..
Regards,

Excellent Article. Specifically International players! The reserve does however, gain the experience of being with the senior squad! Therefore, the reserves should consist of those players who are representative of 'u' 19 or domestic cricket that are potentially a target for selection for the future. Once a fringe player is not named in the squad than he should be sent back to his regular first class side so that he maintains his form! There is an argument that it builds team unity etc.. but a potential first team player should not be carrying drinks or gloves. This develops a mindset of being a second rate member of the side! The donkey jobs should be reserved for very junior players not selected for the squad!

Great sanjay. Indian cricket community lost and also loosing lot of great cricket players like this only. 10 years back, I have seen atapattu was like this only when gurusinghe and aravinda were in the srilanka team.But he stayed in the team long time as bench player, then he got his place and proved himself and came up as a captain.But this will not happen in indian cricket. They will pick the great players,and without giving a single chance, dropped.This was happen to Badrinath in last season. He is a great palyer and having avg more than many of the international players. If it is happening to the domestic best players they will loose their confident. Once picked in probables means, It is needed to give some chances to prove them.other wise like sanjay opinion, pick only the players who are going to play the real cricket, and announce the name of washer man,room cleaner,waiter and helper names along with the players instead of teasing and cheating some great domes. cricketets.

Dear Mr.Bangar: There are some positives and negatives that are derived from being a reserve player.Sourav Ganguly in his first trip to Australia, was reluctant to do these odd jobs as a reserve player as per reports.These jobs are better left to be done by attendants than reserve players during domestic Circuits. This would allow players to play in domestic matches to improve their performance. On international circuits, those that are not playing in the XI, may learn a lot by being part of the team, and ever ready to play in the event of injuries to established players.It is an excellent suggestion to prove your worth and excel to such an extant that a player straightaway gets into the XI. Many a player in the past, though brilliant as players NEVER got into the national side, because of Selectors whims and fancies.Padmakar Shivalkar, Rajinder Goel come to my mind immediately.At the outset, you have nicely highlighted another face of Cricket a player needs to be aware of.

It looks like lore of a case of sour grapes. Each man is defined by what he does and when he does it. By being a fringe player, one does learn a lot. Each player goes through this. The case is same as a Corporate setup. One has to rise through the ranks. Talent alone is not enough. Many a player has been given a chance and not everyone has become a Dravid or a Ganguly or a Lakshman, no need to mention Tendulkar. Even Ganguly and Dravid had to do all these things when they were on reserve status but by their grit and determination, they have made it to the top. One can understand that a person like Lakshman could feel bad the way he has been treated even after his regular performances for India. He has never complained. Now this guy, after so many chances being given to him to be a part of the team, cries foul, is enough to show why he did not succeed at the top. If one feels it is menial to do things from which one can learn in life, it is a foregone conclusion success would elude.

I surmise, the point Sanjay Bangar has tried to make is that a player who is good enough to merit a place in the 15 or 16 and a likely replacement for the 'firmed up players' in the squad(XI I mean)is relegated to the totally 'non-cricketing roles'. In the earlier decades, these players at least had a chance to play 3 day matches when their Big brothers opt to take rest or these players' abilities are put on test. This atleast would serve as a pointer to decide the retention or axing of these players. But, nowadays, there is no tour games, the bech sitters serve the seniors, by that time some fresh talent make hitlines in domestic circuit and thanks to Selectors' solem vow to make changes, for the sake of changes, these ill fated players are thrown into oblivion. I think Sanjay should have been more forthright and cited a few examples.

Sanjay,
Your articles are interesting to say the least - however, I don't quite agree with the fact that one should stay at home if he/she is warming the bench for a long time. On the contrary it should spur you to achieve what you have not and better yourself. Having said that, there is something else that I would love to have your inputs on - enforced retirement on players in first class cricket - how about coming up with an age at which, if you have not played for the country, you need to retire so that youngsters get a chance. I know, when I used to play for the school, we had a few guys who were really good enough to play for the state Ranji team - but because there were "seniors" in the Ranji team, they could not get a chance to play in the Ranji team, and the "seniors" had no chance of qualifying for the Indian team - that really sucks and frustrates reserves no end. Your thoughts?
DB

Sanjay Bangar should know, having gone through it all himself. It indeed is tough being always a fringe player but never getting the chances in the playing eleven. And as Sanjay has said, finally such players become easy targets and gets dropped even before getting the chances they deserve.

Bangar was one player who should have played for India a lot earlier and a lot more than he did. The selectors, captains, officials and even the public lament about the lack of quality all-rounders in India but when they do get or spot one, they just don't know how to handle them. And that's how Sanjay Bangar has been lost to Indian Cricket for a while now. I hope he can make a comeback and hope he has got a lot more to contribute at the international level.

Good Luck Sanjay Bangar !

Thanks for the up-close view Sanjay.A rare, candid article.I appreciate your views.I dont know why playing valet is part of cricketing education. Does that make you a better batsman, bowler or fielder?
To those who say they'll be happpy enough to do that and soak the atmosphere, thats because they arent talented enough and will eb happy to get any chance to be near the team whereas for a talented 12th man, it is agonising. I fully understand Sanjay'sPOV and I dont see what 'manhood'anyone gains playing valet to superstars. An imaginary conversation:
Superstar Cricketer: Arre yaar 12th Man, woh maine pizza order kiya tha na.Kya hua
12th Man: aa raha he sir, I have given the order
SSC: Did you mention Jalapeno toppings?
12thM:Er, forgot sir.
SSC: WhiskeyFoxtrotTango! Who do you think you are? Such insolence! You cant even remember to topping in a pizza, how are you going to face ShaneWarne?!
12th Man (to himself) yeah , right, ordering pizza helps me face Warne (loudly)Sorry Sir!

I am sorry guys, i totally disagree with all the views on this topic, there is so much politics in sub-continent about players selection. It is out of our imagination. See BBCI doesn't want healthy competition in India and the same with the cricketrs like ..... and everone, they don't want any junior players to come and take their positions, thus they will loose the revenue generates from sponsor, so the BCCI is involved directly and indirectly. I think we should be wise taking cricket as an ultimate goal. Its all politics and only rich would survive but for a common man like us its not our cup of tea.

Apologize if i hurst someone feelings.

However, i respect the feelings of others on this blog about sports in general. But not BCCI and senior player politics.

A rare piece by someone who has undergone the ordeal of warming the bench often. He has lucidly brought out what must be going on in the minds of Badrinath or Ranadeeb Bose recently. But Sanjay
I appreciate the feelings expressed, but don't you think there is a silver line in the grey work--I mean the comradiere a new player establishes with
players of various hues.
Any way For god's sake do not attack him personally for the views expressed--The article is as composed and balanced as the writer himself
Sanjay Please provide us with more such insight. It is a wonderful piece that stands out among the listless cricket articles that are strewn all over

Wonderful effort Sanjay. I did not find time till today to read this excellent article. I am really surprised to see that you have been able to come out with one interesting article after another. Again all topics have been good surprises and really not sure how you have been able to think of these in the busy Ranji season.
Like your writing your form also has peaked.

This is a well thought out and written article where you have given a great insight on what the reserves go through. People are quick to pull down a person saying he has a bad attitude but the correct thing would be to see why was he behaving like this. Disappointment is a common thing in life and it forces people to behave in their own ways. What one person does would rarely be accepted as correct by others. We are all humans and need to sympathize with people who have not got their due.

Keep entertaining us Sanjay with your wonderful articles. It was a pleasure seeing you play and it is the same applies here.

What a nice and insightful article-Sanjay, Fantastic to read about what happens with the behind-the scenes people when spotlight is hogged by the actual playing XI-spot on about the morale bit, i guess the reserves also have a job of keeping the morale high, pass the occasional jokes and cheerful banter. However, i feel at time in our indian and general sub continental culture-reserves are asked to do more errands or fetch more stuff for the big stars in the middle be it international or Ranji trophy matches-i think that is going to go someday. Sanjay-wish u all the best and hope you will write a book one day-u certainly have the perceptions and required insight for this!!

hi sanjay ,is it really so bad atmosphere for the reserve player in the dressing room,your comment on the fringe players state is like what we see in movies like "awall number" in the 80's. it is not that the reserve player is always confined to the benches,even he gets chance to field whenever some players gets injured are take time out,and in that limited oppurtunity if he can give some superlative performance in the field ,it is alwas remembered and appreciated.and definately u have to earn ur place in the side and not be given chance just because u r a part of the team.and being in the reserve is definately better than being in the stands.

What an interesting article Sanjay. In my opinion a team runner should be hired for this job. I think in most countries (especially India and Pakistan!) you will find thousands of people who would be happy to go on tour with the team purely as the guy who runs around after the team. Hell, if someone offered to pay my flights I would travel with the Indian team(or any other test playing nation for that matter) for zero pay. I would consider it an honour and it would be fantastic just to be in that atmosphere. Thats why I cannot understand why a reserve player should have to do all this stuff. It is definitely not fair on the reserve. I agree with an earlier post that it could be detrimental to confidence.

If anybody from BCCI is reading, please get in touch as I am on christmas holidays from university and am available to travel to Australia to help the Indian guys with their refreshments, lunch kit bags etc!!!!

Excellent piece of article Sanjay... It provides an insight to the feelings which the bench player undergoes...Let the Board notice up... when they could have the luxury of three coaches, administrative managers etc, they could have one more personnel or make one of the above responsible for these duties. Someone have pointed above on the "camaradiere" developed.... but this would be true being in bench for a couple of test matches or ODIs... but if it prolongs it hurts deeply, when the playing 11 is no better than the 12, 13, 14th when you look at the outcome of a testmatch or a one day international. Rajinder Goel, PShivalkar, Abdul Jabbar, TE Srinivasan, V Sivaramakrishnan, Kanwaljit Singh were better players who did not have their luck due to the Politics of the Board.
Another aspect is had the same number of chances given to the becnh players similar to the regular ones in the eleven, even the bench players would have proved better than..But again there should be a Godfather....

Sanjay,it is not at all a good article i do not agree with u.Every domestic cricketer wants to play for India and it is a life time ambition of each player of being in a 15man squad, oboviesly talent is there that is why u r in the squad. Besides carrying drinks to the team members it helps u to learn so many new things,by siting and watch the great players of the game cricket performing in front of you.Being with them in the dressing room,reading the mind set of the player when they go in the middle to perform,watching their foot moments and shareing different ideas and views with great players makes u grow as a metiour player.Certianly you find youself a changed player.Even after that,if u come back to domestic cricket u can see the changes in yourself how u are playing.It will be completely different and i am sure that the next u will be selected in the team,u will be a much more confident player than the previous time u where selected in the team.It is a great feeling yar.

Third world country game? Is Ano in his senses? More third world and desperately poor and war ravaged countries play soccer than cricket.Most Americans think the rest of the world is stupid and poor because they play a brain dead game like soccer.Cricket is actually thought of a refined, elitist and gentlemanly game by the non cricketing world. You don't have to be very intelligent or skilled to play soccer, only need to be fit enough to kick a ball around on virtually any surface.It needs no equipment , investment or protection.People lie on the ground crying trying to fake an injury when there is none, just to get a penalty. Is there a worse sight in world sport? Football being a professional setup is a joke , the players are the least professional of all in the world. They have no sense of loyalty or service , only play for themselves. Maybe you need to stick to things you actually understand and have a grasp of , have you even played competitive cricket?Sanjay is spot on.

The same care should be taken to select all teams, as is taken to select The Indian Team. I believe, the game of cricket is being dictated to by commercial considerations. Interest must be given to the game. If the school system had been more developed, surely there would have been more Tendulkar's in Indian Cricket. Tendulkar, I believe, was not made because of his talent, but because of his interest in the game. All school teams, as well as state teams must have a large bench strength. Everyone on the bench, should be capable of playing. Children, who cannot make it to the school team, should be incouraged to play the game, for the game's sake, if it is not possible to practice on a pitch, let them do so elsewhere.