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Yoga for Cricket: The Tradition-Technology Convergence

T. Nandakumar

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Cricket had to wait nearly a century before Kerry Packer arrived with ideas that quickly brought the curtain down on the importance of the five day—yawn – format. A scarce 25 years later, T20 has burst on the scene, quite definitely the in thing not only with GenNow and GenNext, but equally a hit with GenPast, too: my 74-year-young uncle can’t wait for the next edition of the IPL to start.

But modern cricket demands supreme fitness, and the Yoga system is undoubtedly without parallel when it comes to richness of repertoire, there’s such plenty to choose from! Aasanas standing, seated, twisting, forward and back bending there are, and to crown ‘em all, we have the magnificent inversions; and within each category, there exists splendid variety, permitting practice at introductory, intermediate and advanced levels.
Yoga for Cricket: The Tradition-Technology Convergence
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Vrikshaasana:
Standing poses elasticise the hamstring muscles and help maintain the knee and ankle joints in prime condition. In ODIs and T20s, strong legs are vital: it’s the legs which help convert ‘ones into twos’ and ‘twos into threes’, to use commentary phraseology. And it’s the legs again, when it comes to repeatedly winning the race with the ball, preventing it from reaching the fence.
Yoga for Cricket: The Tradition-Technology Convergence
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Garudasana:
A feeling of lightness comes with regular Y practice. Hand-eye coordination improves greatly, and reflexes become sharper. Quicksilver reflexes are a boon when it comes to fielding in positions close to the bat. On a personal note: I have only spectator interest in cricket. But my ball sense and reflexes are good enough for me to feel that at 54, I can still hold my own with players less than half my age, when it comes to close-in catching positions, thanks entirely to my yoga.
Yoga for Cricket: The Tradition-Technology Convergence
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Back Namaste, Gomukhaasana, Baddha Konaasana:
Twists open up the range and scope of spinal movements. This is important for the wicket keeper and bowler. They both have to dive often, football goalie fashion. So, both ‘keeper and bowler would do well to practice all types of aasanas to keep the joints in fine fettle. The ‘cobbler pose,’ baddha konaasana, is said to help prevent groin injuries.
Yoga for Cricket: The Tradition-Technology Convergence
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Uttanaasana, Upavishta Konaasana, Jaanu Sirshaasana:
Forward bends promote the endurance of the heart besides making for an unrufflable demeanour, however tight the match situation may get. This is of particular importance to the Captain, as also to all players during times of nail-biting finishes. To stay calm, to think rapidly and clearly, and to stay at least a couple of jumps ahead of the opposite number, the captain, more than anyone else, must practice the entire spectrum of inversions (of course, women players should avoid these poses during the menstrual cycle).
Yoga for Cricket: The Tradition-Technology Convergence
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Setu Bandha, Urdhva Dhanuraasana:
Back bends energise the spine and help generate short bursts of speed when needed. This is of relevance for batsmen who need to take quick runs. Overall, cricket is big business today and, thanks to the reach of television and the charisma of icons like Dhoni and Sehwag, many a child may harbour ambitions of playing the game at its highest level. Parents of such children, who want to give them every support they can, should send the children only to cricket academies where Y training is an integral part of cricket coaching.
Yoga for Cricket: The Tradition-Technology Convergence

T Nandakumar is a yoga exponent based in Chennai.