📍 THE WEEK’S RADAR

• Playing squarer with early powerplay intent delivers Kohli's 51st century

• Middle Overs Matter: How the crucial 11-40 overs now define ODIs

• Bowling Intelligence: Steyn and Bond on wicket-taking with defensive fields

• Why your brain fails and how to train for peak pressure performance

• Dew Decoded: How humid evenings strip bowlers of grip and spin

• The 10-second technique elite cricketers use to maintain focus

FROM THE ANALYSIS BOX

"He is Back!"- Kohli Proves Why He’s The Best

Imperious, Virat Kohli smashed his 51st ODI century against Pakistan on Sunday. His template remains unchanged—be positive in the powerplay, targeting "60-70 runs when there is pace on the ball," rotate strike efficiently in the middle overs, and finish with authority.
A key adjustment fuelled his success—"playing squarer and using angles" rather than forcing straight hits. Seven boundaries were all he needed.
His resurgence stems from relentless preparation—arriving "almost an hour before teammates" for an intensive net session. Big game, big stage—Kohli delivers. The King is, well and truly, back.

Dew Factor, Inglis Factor

Josh Inglis’s unbeaten 120 off 86 was a fine display of game awareness, using the pace on offer and trusting his fast hands to counter the surface—a result of dew reducing grip and nullifying movement. He stayed balanced, and picked his moments, ensuring Australia’s chase never lost direction. England’s bowlers, adjusting to the conditions, tried slower balls that lacked deception and perhaps underused cross-seam deliveries to disrupt rhythm. In the end, Australia’s clarity, led by Inglis, tilted the contest decisively.

Will Middle Overs Decide It All?

Champions Trophy success hinges on those crucial middle overs, doesn’t it? ODI dynamics changed as Anwar, Tendulkar, Jayasuriya, and Gilchrist reshaped how teams approached the new ball in the 1990s. Now, the narrative revolves around overs 11-40—where sixes fly every 60 balls, a stark contrast to 150 in the early 2000s. Teams need bowlers who can consistently break partnerships and batters with the technique to find boundaries against both pace and spin, even with an extra boundary rider in play.

COACH’S CORNER

Strike with Science

The Hawkin Dynamics Force Plate delivers important insights into a batter’s weight distribution, ground reaction forces, and power generation. By analysing foot pressure shifts and explosive force output, it enhances technique, improves stability, and maximises power transfer—helping players refine their batting mechanics for optimal performance.

THE SCIENCE OF SKILL

The Neural Batter

Research by pain scientist Professor Lorimer Moseley reveals that pressure-induced performance decline stems from brain-based protective mechanisms. Traditional training neglects cognitive load management whilst Neuro Batting incorporates visual tracking, randomised drills, and decision-making tasks that simulate match pressure. By training the brain alongside technique, batters develop the mental resilience needed when pressure alters perception, movement efficiency, and reaction time.

Why Does Dew Matter So Much in Cricket?

Dew forms during evening play as humidity condenses in cooling temperatures, particularly in the sub-continent. It creates wet outfields and slippery balls, hampering bowlers' grip. Spinners struggle to impart revolutions, neutralising drift and turn, while seamers struggle to execute cutters, slower balls and yorkers. Batsmen benefit as the ball slides onto the bat with consistent pace. Teams utilise towels, while groundstaff deploy anti-dew sprays and super-soppers to minimise match impact.

BETWEEN THE EARS

Winning Under Pressure

Why do some people consistently succeed? Beyond natural talent, four factors stand out: excellent preparation (studying the entire syllabus), a clear yet flexible plan, laser-like focus amid distractions, and sometimes, luck.
The real differentiator? How people perform under pressure. When stakes rise, many falter as doubt creeps in.
Try this 10-second pressure hack: the physiological sigh (double inhale, slow exhale), smile, scan your surroundings, then "Feel the fear and do it anyway." Top performers navigate uncertainty without becoming overwhelmed by it.

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