RR’s Bharucha to conduct intense batting drill to Sri Lanka members
View(s):Zubin Bharucha, the high-performance director for IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, will soon arrive to conduct a batting master class for a group of national cricketers ahead of their white-ball series against India. The sessions will take place from July 18 to 26 at the Khettarama High Performance Centre (HPC).
Bharucha was recommended by former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, who currently serves as the director of cricket and head coach of Rajasthan Royals, following a request from Sanath Jayasuriya–the current consultant coach, who will take over the national team as head coach in the interim during the Indian and England series.
Zubin Bharucha (left) with Yashasvi Jaiswal at a Rajastan Royals training session
Bharucha and the Rajasthan Royals academy have introduced a method called sequenced training, focused on enhancing adaptability. This involves four throwers positioned about 15 feet from the batter, each with specific roles such as supplying the flick, cut, pull, and drive. Behind them are feeders with sidearms. The training session comprises four throwers, four sidearms, four spinners and four fast bowlers, creating 16 variables that challenge a player with different shots on both sides. Bharucha emphasised the importance of repetition to refine the skills.
“He comes highly recommended by Kumar, and we expect to benefit greatly from his expertise in this brief period. He is set to bring in four specialist throw-down experts, and we will provide additional facilities like balls and net bowlers,” a source familiar with the details revealed.
Bharucha has requested for 150 new white balls, four side pitches, centre wicket for training and around 30 fast-bowlers, spinners, sidearm specialists to conduct his programme at Kettarama. SSC will also be reserved for centre-wicket training along with side wickets during this period.
Bharucha, a former Mumbai batsman, is known for pushing
players the extra mile in training to elevate their performance. He played a key role in the development of Indian batters Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jurel reportedly underwent a monumental practice session, batting for 140 overs in a day before his Test debut earlier this year against England, mirroring Jaiswal’s rigorous training. Jaiswal, who scored a double-century on his Test debut and was part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team last month, credited Bharucha for his success.