THE shortest format of cricket does require some slam bang type of batting by playing fearlessly but Trevor Gonsalves, Head Coach and Mentor of VPL franchise Orange Tigers and Orange Tigresses, feels that “fearless does not mean doing something blindly”. While advocating for fearless approach, Gonsalves advises players to adhere to some cautions. “When I mean fearless, I don’t mean to say that go out there and blindly do something. When I say fearless, I also add another two words — ‘attacking’ and ‘positive cricket’. And to these two, we have added another word ‘sensibly’. “During the course of the tournament, the wickets have changed in nature and you got to be sensible. When I talk of fearless, I mean you play your game, exhibit your skill, express yourself.

 

There is no stopping if the ball is there to hit. It should not be like reckless driving. You can drive fast and drive safe, that’s the way,” Gonsalves said while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Friday. Gonsalves was more than happy with the squad at his disposal for its attitude and team unity. “After those first two matches, we have been playing fearless cricket all through. With team unity, team co-ordination and team togetherness, a good atmosphere is created and that’s one of the most important things in today’s cricket. “They are ready and hungry. They are all waiting to perform.

 

They know it’s a big stage. Many people have got to play IPL due to these State leagues. Talking of Tigers and the Tigresses — it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster but now we hope to steady the ship,” Gonsalves detailed. On how the players are responding to his mentorship, Gonsalves says, “They are liking it, and I am liking their participation as well because I give them more of the liberty.

 

They do more of the speaking, I do more of the listening. So, it’s the other way around. I am only doing very little talking where required.” Complimenting VCA for a providing a great platform, former Vidarbha all-rounder Gonsalves wants to see some players with an X-factor in next edition of the VPL. “Vidarbha Cricket Association has done a great job, and the greater job that they have done is that they’ve even introduced the WPL, where the women’s also get a chance to showcase their skill. And there’s no doubt that we are going to get a lot of cricketers from here. Compared to last year, I am seeing so many new faces and it is such a healthy competition.

 

VPL has a great future. “I would love to see some more Chinaman bowlers. I would love to see some mystery bowlers because at the IPL level, we are searching for somebody with some X-factor,” hoped Gonsalves. Gonsalves, who has also coached red-ball State teams, feels that both the formats are like rails of a track that can never meet. “White-ball coaching and red-ball coaching is like a railway line, that would never meet. They are running on parallel lines, but will never meet. White ball and red ball really don’t have anything in common except for the basic techniques,” Gonsalves signed off.