To a batsman, nothing is more sacred than his batting skills. It is the result of a life-long process and the cornerstone of all their success.
Batters are also often hesitant to modify their mechanics, fearing it will disrupt the basis of their trade.
In 2024, Madhya Pradesh captain Shubham Sharma chose to take this step as he decided to change his batting game. In hindsight, this proved to be a career-changing choice as he began accumulating runs like never before.
During the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Kerala, Shubham crossed the 700-run mark for the first time in his career this season.
“I made some changes to my technique, like a new back raise and a redesigned grip. Starting last year, our coaches [Chandrakant Pandit] Insisted on me to make these changes,” Shubham said after the Kerala game.
Last offseason, Shubham put in extra effort and incorporated new tweaks into his batting style. This includes countless net sessions, match simulation drills and scrimmages that take place in the months leading up to the start of the Ranji season.
The 31-year-old is determined to go through the changes, regardless of the results of practice sessions.
“We monitored my batting regularly. We decided that even if I got out cheap in these games, we would stick with the new style. After many such sessions, I finally felt comfortable with the new technology,” Shubham added .
With his recalibrated approach, Shubham feels he has brought out the best in himself.
“I think I’ve reached my peak. But I feel like I should have reached this level earlier. Now I have a feeling that I’m close to my best as a batsman, both mentally and technically,” Shu said Bam said.
However, the Madhya Pradesh skipper is not satisfied with the 700-run mark he crossed, which puts him second on the run-run chart this season behind Hyderabad’s Tanmay Agarwal ).
“I have always dreamed of scoring 1,000 runs in a Ranji Trophy season. Now that I have crossed 700 for the first time in my career, I feel I am going in the right direction. I really hope to end the season with at least 800 runs. “
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In the match against Kerala, Shubham scored fifty in both innings as Madhya Pradesh played out an exciting draw with Kerala. On the pitch at Greenfield, the right-handed batsman, who assisted Seamus for much of the match, was targeting a straight V, taking 7 of his 10 fours in two posts The fact that both hit the zone proves this.
“The ball has a seam to begin with and it’s always risky to play square when the ball is moving. So the safest thing to do is to play it directly with your eyes on it. I just don’t want to play it away from the body, I feel. The plan worked,” Shubham said.
Like other in-form batsmen, Shubham too was not ready to be satisfied with his work.
“I felt I should have batted longer in the first innings. Since I had successfully acclimated, I should have scored at least a hundred,” he added.
It has been two years since Shubham took over as captain of Madhya Pradesh. He believes leadership has underpinned his batting performance.
“After becoming captain, my batting has improved because now I have more interaction with the coaches, which in turn has helped improve my feel for the game.
Before every game, once I’ve looked at the course and understood its nature, I chat with the coach and explain my ideas on how to hit the ball. He then gave me some input and helped me formulate a plan,” Shubham said.
