EXCLUSIVE | Dealing with tragedy: Mohammed Siraj’s 2020 heartbreak and the importance of mental conditioning for cricketers
Mohammed Siraj (Reuters Photo) NEW DELHI: India pacer Mohammed Siraj was practicing in Australia during the 2020-21 tour when he received the devastating news of his father’s death. The heartbreaking message was conveyed to him by Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. Overwhelmed with grief, Siraj rushed to his hotel room and broke down.Siraj had the option to return home to be with his family during this difficult time. However, he ultimately chose to stay with the team, a decision largely influenced by the unwavering support he received from Kohli, Shastri, and other senior members of the squad, who provided him with the emotional strength to endure the ordeal.Putting the personal tragedy aside, Siraj opted to serve his nation. In the Melbourne Test, he claimed five wickets, playing a crucial role in India’s eight-wicket victory. Australia batters will find it difficult and have issues of their own He followed it up with two wickets in the drawn Sydney Test before delivering a stellar performance in the fourth Test, where his five-wicket haul dismantled Australia’s batting lineup, securing India’s three-wicket victory and a historic 2-1 series win.While Siraj was instrumental in India’s triumph, the pain of losing his father and being unable to say a final goodbye will always linger.This is where the role of a mental conditioning coach becomes crucial — helping players navigate deeply emotional and challenging moments while maintaining focus on their performance.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaching, some players will be away from their families for extended periods.TimesofIndia.com caught up with Jody Martins, a South African mental and conditioning coach, to discuss how he supports players during such tough times, his work with Temba Bavuma, his experience with the Kerala cricket team, his collaboration with star batter Sanju Samson, and more … As a mental conditioning coach, what are the core principles you focus on to help athletes deliver peak performance under pressure?This is a great question. What I…
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