As I write this article the Indian Premier League is mid way, however I could not contain my self to wait till the end of the League to write this article.
Cricket in the shorter form has gained immense popularity. The T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007, which was won by India, had set the stage for the new ‘Club’ concept in the game. The IPL conceived on the lines of EPL in football has proved to be the next big thing in the world of cricket. Seven city teams battle in the ‘Karamyudh’. The IPL brought in the new concept of bidding for players which saw the likes of Dhoni, Symonds and Pathan collecting big dollars checks. IPL with its high adrenalin and charged up environment has provided exceptional entertainment to the audience. Be it the mega opening ceremonies, the big sixes, the spectacular fours, the closely fought matches, the ‘City’ fan following, the Bollywood glitter of the Khans and the Zintas, the Cheer Leaders, IPL has really proved to be ‘Manoranjan ka Baap’. However, as the season has progressed apart from its fun and glamour, IPL has proved to be a real-time laboratory for Management, Strategy and Leadership.
The Jaipur team called as the Rajasthan Royals, cheapest of the IPL Teams in terms of cost of ownership, captained and coached by Shane Warne has put the ‘Cricket Pundits’ biting their nails. The Rajasthan Royals has very less number of the so called ‘Big’ players, the team comprises mainly of local young and in-experienced talent. The Royals were termed as ‘under dogs’ and after they had lost their first match in IPL, almost all the cricket pundits had written off then as definite losers in the tournament. However, Warne had his own story to tell and it was just a matter of time that he proved his mettle. Under his able leadership his bunch of young and un-experienced players went ahead and defeated the so called ‘Favorites’ and on this date as I write this article the Rajasthan Royals are at the top of the league with 6 consecutive wins and 10 points in its bag.
Warne has proved that if your team has a good leader and a manager who understands the needs, aspirations and capabilities of each individual in his team, he or she can do wonders even with an in-experienced squad. The ‘Captain’ devices the plan and strategy for each match and assigns ‘Roles’ to each individual. The individuals understand the ‘Team’s Strategy’ and take up the ‘Roles’ and work as One Team to achieve a common goal, thereby delivering spectacular results. There is a very clear sense of belonging amongst the team members. The ‘Captain’ gives the individuals their own space and encourages innovation and applauds performance. He also sets a standard by giving exceptional performance when required by the team and enables the team to win a crucial task. Thus he becomes the ‘Role Model’ for his young chaps who know that their leader can deliver when required and he is not one of the ‘All fizz and no fire’ types.
Many of the cricket pundits across the world and in Australia are debating on the question ‘Did world cricket miss out on a spectacular leader and a captain like Shane Warne?’ Well , if IPL is be taken as a testimony, then my answer to the question is ‘Yes’. Many a times the ‘Selectors’ fail to identify and reward a deserving candidate like Warne. Performance Management and recognizing the’ Would be Leaders’ is of utmost importance and today most of the good companies are focusing on identifying their next generation leadership. Many are even following the mantra of ‘Catch them young’ and are providing these would-be-leaders with all the tools and techniques and mentoring for it.
Let me now come back to the IPL, the Bangalore Team called as the Royal Challengers, failed to Challenge any team with their performance and Mr. Mallya has off late realized that he has focused too much on the cheer leaders and the opening ceremony rather than on choosing the players who could have made a difference to the Challengers Story . Even the much hyped cheer leaders of Mr Mallya did not have anything to cheer for!!!
The Chennai Super Kings led by the Indian Skipper M S Dhoni remained unbeatable in the first four matches when the Australians were on fire, but of late have slipped down and suffered three consecutive defeats. The lesson is ‘Do not over rely on few resources and keep on nurturing new talent who can stand up in the hour of need when your top line is not present’.
The Hyderabad Deccan Chargers’ franchise had bid ferociously and got many International players in their bag. However, there have not been very impressive as the had forgotten the basic rule of the game which said that any team could play only a maximum of four international players. Hence, they had the problem of choice of too many. The lesson is read the rule book carefully before you burn your fingers in the ‘Haandi’ while preparing Hyderabadi Biryani!!
Well, I am sure the IPL which is only half way now will spring up many surprises in the coming days as the teams and franchises learn their lessons in management and strategy and take corrective actions. Let us take this as food for thought and let us not suffer from the same kind of indigestion that the IPL franchises are suffering today!!
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