C.S. Manish
Right Hand Batsman (Vice Captain)
(Even though it looks blank, do click on the video below, it will play)
Introduction:
Every team has a few individuals who form the pillars stabilizing the team. Manish was always that pillar for WVUCC. An all-round cricketer Manish could bat, roll his arm over with some intimidating off-spin, and take superb catches behind the stumps. No matter what role he was given in the team, Manish always came out as the winner. He showed all of us that it was the mind and not the body which makes you better than the rest. He is what we call back in Pakistan, "the street fighter" of WVUCC.
Manish was the only player to have had the honor of being the Captain, Vice Captain, Coach, and Manager of the team at some point during his long association with WVUCC. You can send him at any order in the batting and he would adapt his new role with perfect ease. I remember him opening for WVUCC earlier and in the very next game coming down the order at number 11. He was the most positive bloke you will ever come across, constantly encouraging the team and lifting the spirits of everyone around him.
Progress:
It always came as a surprise to me that Manish was not a big run-getter. He had all the ingredients for becoming a top order batsman. He was technically sound, mentally strong, and had the right temperament to stay at the crease for long periods of time. In fact, we always relied on him to block one end up while the scoring would occur at the other end. Statistics are not a very good reflection of his contributions purely as a batsman for the team.
Every great batting performance relies on building partnerships. Manish was an architect behind many match-winning and match-saving partnerships. For the last two years alone he was involved in nine 40-run partnerships or more which include four 50-run partnerships. Having adopted the role as the coach of the team Manish decided to return as a player for WVUCC once again in 2006 and 2007. His last outing for his team proved to be the most fruitful for himself and his team. In 2006, playing in the top-order Manish scored 143 runs with a highest score of 22 against the PittsPunters. In his last season for a team he so loved and a team he wanted to succeed Manish displayed his skills and potential to the fullest. Scoring 145 runs in just 9 innings, Manish scored his career-best 64 off just 60 balls hitting 6 fours and 1 mighty six. Simply the best I have seen him play.
The reason behind his success was his mental ability to come up with something new, something different, and disturb the bowler’s length. He would dance down the wicket as if challenging the faster bowlers of the league while they would still be in their run-ups. They had no idea whether to bowl up to him or bowl short. He was all over the best of them at times in the league.
Opening the innings, returning to his original spot, Manish ran well between the wickets and consumed the new swinging cherry on many occasions, making it easier for the middle order batsmen. He was involved in many partnerships again, stabilizing the top order and setting up the platform for the likes of Abhishek, Sumanth, and Ashok. He even had the honor of dismissing arguably the best batsman of the league, Naveen Peiris, with a smart ball down the legs.
Fittingly, Manish scored the winning runs for WVUCC taking them to their first ever championship in the history of WVUCC. All the hard work and years of effort had paid off. Apart from his batting and bowling Manish was a very tidy keeper as well. I still rate his diving catch off my own bowling against the Akron 11 as the best wicket keeper catch I have seen for WVUCC.
My favorite Manish Stroke: Pull shot for six!!
My favorite Manish Innings: 64 against PittsPunters.
Technical Analysis:
As a batsman, Manish is technically very sound. He has a good defense and his bat comes down straight. He is well balanced at the crease, even when he decides to take a walk in the park and attack you. He is primarily a back-foot player and a testament of that is the ease with which he pulls and cuts the ball. Very strong square of the wicket Manish struggles with his front foot play. Even though he compensates that by his quick footwork, Manish can improve his front foot play for better results. In my opinion the reason for his weak front foot play is his back-lift. For any good batsman to drive the ball on his front foot the back lift is very important. I remember in years gone by, Manish hardly had any back-lift. Apart from this, Manish has no flaws, technically, as a batsman.
Mental Analysis:
This is where he is the strongest among his team-mates. Not only is he calm and relaxed under pressure situations, he thrives in such testing moments, and they bring the best out of him. It was because of this ability of his that WVUCC was able to defeat the Punters. For anyone of us who has played against them, we know pretty well how they wear down the batsmen with their constant appealing and sledging. Manish played the best innings of his life against them, calmly doing his business and taking them on.
On the field as well, Manish is the loudest among the voices and constantly talks to fellow players and the opposition alike. He never lets the situation get to him and in my long friendship with him, I have hardly seen him give up and think negatively. All of these are signs of a good leader.
What Else:
With Manish as my Vice-Captain I always felt pity for the opposition. It was as if we had the strength of two captains. He was the smartest when it came to picking up the right team. From day one, Manish came down strongly against indiscipline and at times we would pick 7 or 8 players even when we had the liberty of playing a full squad just because of indiscipline. Wrong compromises were never made and in the end all of that paid off.
However, it is off the field where Manish truly contributes. Year in and year out, Manish organized the net sessions, represented the team in public gatherings, and kept up the spirits of everyone around him. It was Manish and Bala years ago, who appointed me as the Captain of the team and not a moment since then do I remember them not supporting me or backing me up. In times when the team is winning and doing well, everyone supports the captain and backs him up but it is times when the team is losing and things are not going as planned that the captain is looking for words of encouragement. Manish was always around when such times tested the team and myself. He always believed in me and I always trusted him. Thanks Manish for all that you have done for the team. Your name will always be taken with respect and love whenever someone will open up the annals of WVUCC history. Now that you have moved to other things in life, we wish you all the success and keep in touch!
Marks out of ten this season (8.5/10)
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