You want to read about the first part of my U14 selections for the Tamil Nadu State, please click here.
The time is set for the Probables camp. The people who got through the U14 selections final round will be selected for the U14 Probables camp. I was nervous at the same time, excited. I packed all my stuff and am ready to go to Madurai, leaving my parents for 2 weeks. But luckily, my friends were there, and we are going to have a fun time. Fun fact, we were going on the Vande Bharat. The train that I have been waiting for a long time to ride on. Well, the train ride was just like any other train, but the food service was where I felt the difference, and the food was excellent. We had a good, solid 4 to 5 hours ride on the train, and we were heading to our dormitory/satellite centre, the place that we are going to stay for two weeks.
It was the first day in the dormitory. The Manager gave us a few instructions to follow and not to follow. But the most important part to follow in this camp is Discipline, Discipline, and Discipline only. And that’s the first and last thing to follow, and we can’t forget it. Be disciplined, and you get what you want. The next day, we had a nets session with video recording, to check what went right and what went wrong. I bowled very well, and the bowling coach gave me a few corrections to work on during these 15 days at the camp. The bowling coach told us that he hates these 2 things. Bowling no balls and bowling wides. He is strict but gives very strong and sensible advice. That very evening, we had a team meeting, and we worked on our team charter. Team Charter captures the points we should follow as a team. Basically, the dos and don’ts for all of us. We discussed some of those points along with the consequences that we may face if we make a mistake. And all of that was included in our team charter. And our coach made every individual, including the support staff, sign it. The sign signifies that we all agree and that we will follow that charter.
But that night, a few of our friends enjoyed fighting, for fun, and that funny fight night turned into an issue. The next morning, our practice was scheduled at 7:30 AM. Some more players and I have reported earlier than the reporting time. But a few came a bit late. The trainer told us that … Boys, I want you all to pack up, as there will not be a session today. Some of the boys did not sleep well and came late to the session. I was thinking, was this a punishment? Yes. It was. Well, later that morning, we had a discussion. Two boys were punching for fun that night. But our coaches found out that more than 14 people were involved in the fun banter. Yes, it was just two boys fighting. But the others were supporting the fight and were also making a mess in the dormitory. I remember asking my friend, what will happen if anybody’s nose or mouth starts to bleed, or any injuries happen to those boys. My friend also didn’t know the answer to that question.
Luckily, no injuries. But it was the first time in this camp that we got into trouble, and I hope it was the last. My coach asked us what the punishment should be for us. Then the trainer replied. FITNESS! It was tiring. Running back and forth, back and forth for 2minutes and more than 7 sets. Bottles! The trainer commanded. It meant relief for everyone. We had a good breakfast and finally had some good rest for a couple of hours. After a couple of days, the problems started coming for me. It was a good evening session. We had nets, and it was a game between batsmen and bowlers. I bowled my first spell quite well, making the batsmen struggle. My coach told me to take a break, and during the break, I felt immense pain in my leg. I was wondering what was going on. Break over. My coach has asked me to bowl again. I started with my smooth run-up and once I landed my foot too the crease… My foot just bent instead of being straight. I felt immense pain, and I couldn’t even complete my follow-through properly. I was unfit to bowl.
Coach called the physio and told him that I am injured. The physio arrived and checked me. We could not figure it out, but later we found out that the insole of my left foot was completely torn apart. ENNADA SHOE ITHU!!!. Asked my physio, which means “what kind of shoes are these” in Tamil. As a part of my U14 journey, this was my first learning as a cricketer. Physio told me, “Let this be a learning for you and do not do it again.” He also said, “Let this be your first and last mistake of taking care of your shoe”. He told me that we should always check and tighten the nails on my spike shoes. I was ashamed of myself! We are representing the state cricket team and not playing some gully cricket. We must be good professionals, and here I am with my sloppy shoes! The problem did not end right there. After a couple of days, we had another net session. But this time with new shoes. We bought new spikes, and I felt very comfortable. But a couple of nails were coming out, and the problems continued. It is always dangerous to bowl without spike nails. Even if one of the spike nails falls off from the shoe, we must stop bowling, tighten that nail, and then get back in action. That’s where I learnt the most important lesson for fast bowlers. That is, always check my spikes after bowling to see if any nails are loose. That’s the most important point that young cricketers should make a note of, especially the fast bowlers. CLEAN YOUR SPIKES!!! No matter what, there will be mud on your shoe, especially after bowling on a green top wicket [ Pitch]
The camp went really well. There were some ups and downs, Positives and Negatives, goods and bads, but in the end of the day it’s the process that matters, and the result follows right away. CHENNAI!!! Here we come back, and I must say we had a good camp at Madurai. Cheers to the coaches and support staff. The next day was Diwali. After a couple of days’ break, I restarted my practice and also started going to school after 4 months. We got the news that the next camp will happen in a couple of days. But before that, Physio asked us to come to the gym to test and understand why I am getting the pain while bowling. He asked us to take some scans and figured out there was swelling. And the stress level was three. It means there is some stress in my ankle. The stress that comes before a stress fracture is due to continuous use of the same muscles. So I was put under rehabilitation. We gave a letter or notice at my school that I will not be attending the school and will also be skipping the periodic examination due to my rehabilitation. We were on our way to the treatment, and we got the call from my friend’s father asking… What happened to Sai Shravanth [My Name]? We got a message that he is injured and he will not attend the upcoming camp. be under rehabilitation for 8 weeks, which means 2 months. During this period, I can’t bowl or practice, nor run. I have to do only fitness and strengthen my ankle muscles. That is the end of this blog.
I will be releasing the third part of my U14 selections journey on 7/3/2026. Titled… U14 journey Part 3: Rehab Life. I will explain what I have done during those days as part of my rehabilitation. And how I worked on my mindset, also for a better comeback. You will also get to know about my slight downfall, which I did not expect. See you soon. Wishing you all a very Happy Holi 2026!!!.
