Oman Cricket invests in mental conditioning for upcoming international season

Oman Cricket (OC) is bolstering its players' mental fortitude with a significant investment in psychological conditioning as it prepares for a crucial international season. Renowned Indian mental conditioning and peak performance coach Dr. Swaroop Savanur recently led an intensive five-day high-performance program designed to equip the Sultanate's cricketers with the tools to manage pressure, build resilience, and unlock their full potential.

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The mental part of the game has been the missing link. When I first spoke to head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni and the management, the agenda was very clear, to help the players perform better and go to the next level. We devised a structured plan to make mental conditioning an integral part of their preparation.

The program, specifically tailored for the senior men's team, comes at a critical juncture as Oman gears up for the ACC Premier Cup and the remaining ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series. The team has its sights set on qualifying for next year's Asia Cup and the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Dr. Savanur also extended his expertise to a group workshop involving the women's national teams and the U-19 boys' and girls' squads.

Dr. Savanur identified the mental aspect of the game as the "missing link" for the team. He collaborated closely with head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni and the OC management to develop a structured plan, making mental conditioning a core part of the players' preparation. This initiative aims to elevate player performance and help them reach the next level.

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Unfortunately, many people think the mental aspect is psychology. For me, it is training. You train your mind just as you train your batting, bowling or fielding. Players need the right tools and routines to switch on when it matters most. One of the biggest achievements over these five days was removing the myths around mental training and reducing the resistance towards working on this aspect of the game. The players opened their minds and embraced the process.

Widely recognized in India for his work with various sporting bodies, including the BCCI ecosystem, IPL teams, and the national football team, Dr. Savanur emphasizes that mental conditioning is not merely psychology but a form of training. "You train your mind just as you train your batting, bowling or fielding," he stated. Over the five days, a key achievement was dispelling myths surrounding mental training and reducing player resistance, encouraging them to embrace the process. The workshop focused on changing players' mindsets, developing personalized preparation plans, and equipping them with practical strategies to handle pressure, expectations, and setbacks effectively.

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There is nothing wrong with pressure, expectations or even failure. The important thing is how you deal with them. We spent time working individually with players, discussing different match situations and creating practical responses. I am happy with what we have achieved in just five days because the players have understood how mental conditioning can become part of their daily routine.

Dr. Savanur was particularly impressed by the team's "deep desire to improve." He noted that the players demonstrated a strong willingness to embrace mental conditioning as part of their daily routine, understanding its importance in dealing with pressure, expectations, and even failure. The focus was on practical application, with individual sessions dedicated to discussing match situations and formulating effective responses.

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I saw a deep desire throughout the team to improve and go beyond where they are today. The players have the sk