Eric Simons, IPL 2020
Death is the space I live in and it's comfortable
It is ironic that while on the one hand there has been questions asked of the CSK selection policy particularly around the age of some of our team mates and on the other because we have not played the oldest man in the tournament being Imran Tahir. Continuity and loyalty have been trademarks of the Chennai Super Kings’ success over many years and they once again provided the foundations for our approach to this years IPL.
The results this year have not been ideal, obviously. Technically, as I write, we still have a slim chance to qualify for the knockouts because of how the results have gone over the last few days, but it does obviously mean we need to win every match we have left. And probably win well. We have not given up.
Stephen Fleming, probably as much in reflection as answering a question during the press conference after the Royals match, suggested that maybe this team had “run out of juice” but, at the same time, he recognised that essentially the same squad had won the tournament two years ago and lost last year’s final by one run. The delayed tournament certainly didn’t do us any favours.
I’m not sure what the answer is but I do know if one or two things had gone our way and, to be honest, if we had played better in two matches in particular, we would be sitting on at least five wins and talking about qualification. But that didn’t happen so we are scrambling to make the next round with little to suggest our form will carry us through. Hopefully ‘backs to the wall’ is what we need.
One thing I do know is that, qualify or not, we have learnt lessons and the CSK management will, as always, review the season and ask the tough questions.
I must talk a little more about that oldest man in the tournament, Imran Tahir. I have been privileged to work with him many times before from CSK to Delhi Daredevils to Nelson Mandela Bay Giants. He is as enthusiastic about everything in life as he is about the celebration of each wicket. His professionalism and attention to details is an incredible example to anyone in the squad. The passion with which he still plays cricket is extraordinary and unmissable. He may be the elder statesman of the tournament but his attitude to everything, even carrying the drinks, is an example for everyone.
I have caught so many balls in training from him over the years and his excitement, even now, about a new delivery he is working on is remarkable. Remarkable for someone at any stage of a career let alone one that has been as long and as distinguished as his has. And all this in spite of the fact that he has not played a match. Hopefully we see him get a chance soon.
South African reunion after the Delhi Captials match
As we head into the playoff phase of the tournament a whole new dimension is added to every match. An easy run in the league phase is not always an indication of guaranteed success in the knockouts. Often teams which have had some tough games through the group stages and are battle-hardened do well in the play-offs. The other red flag are teams that have qualified but relied heavily on the performance of one or two players. The added pressure in a play off match has in the past been the straw that breaks the camels back for these individuals when one more big performance is required and when the cricketer, particularly a batsman, goes to the well it has been drained. Hopefully we still have a role to play in the next phase. By the time you read this, we will probably know if we are still in the race.
One of the few benefits lock down has given the world is getting us used to the idea of connecting with people via online platforms like Zoom. Gary Kirsten set up a Zoom meeting with 20 coaches around the world and arranged for the famous South African explorer, Mike Horn, to have a chat with us this morning. Coaches like Rahul Dravid, Justin Langer, the CSK coaching team to name a few. What would it have taken in the past to achieve this?
Mike worked with Gary and I when we were with India so I have heard him many times before but he never fails to challenge and inspire. If you ever get the chance to listen to him talk, do not miss the opportunity.
He was asked by one of the participants about dealing with failure, the fear of failure, a common term in sport. Except as he so aptly put it, in cricket if you make a mistake you lose a wicket, if he makes a mistake “I die”. He has dealt with that reality by becoming comfortable with it. Or as he puts it, “fear becomes my home then I can start loving what you hate. Death is the space I live in and its comfortable”.
I’m not sure I want to go quite that far but it has great lessons for anyone, in any walk of life. It certainly makes Mumbai Indians, even at Sharjah, later this evening seem a less daunting task.
Good luck today!