WHAT IS YOUR ORIENTATION?

You play cricket for many reasons. You may play it because you like challenges, you may play it because you like working as a team or you may play it because you like bowling. If you look closely, the reason you play is never because it is ‘fun’. Of course, fun is a big part of it. But, it is always something deeper than that.

Your reason to play the sport, or let’s say your reason to play the sport ‘successfully’ can be from two orientations. It can either be ‘task’ oriented or ‘ego’ oriented.

Task orientation

A task oriented player would consider themselves successful if they feel that they have mastered their own skills. For example, a batsman mastering the cut-shot or a fielder not missing even one ball during the practice session. A task-oriented cricketer would set goals for himself/herself and focus on achieving those. It can be quite different from what the coach might have set or even what the captain would want from them in a particular match.

Ego orientation

On the other hand, an ego-oriented player would focus on proving themselves better than those around them. They would rather strengthen their identity on the field rather than work hard on their skills. Here, winning at any cost is the main target. However, it could also mean that the player might tend to withdraw if he/she feels their abilities are shortcoming.

When we look at both these orientations, it is easy to jump to the conclusion that Task-orientation is better than Ego-orientation. But it is not so! Come to think of it, sports itself is very ego-oriented. Aren’t you always pitted against one another? And aren’t your results always compared to someone else’s? If there is no ego-orientation, then there is no strife to win. At the same time, if there is no task-orientation, there is a stagnancy of skills.

However, ego-oriented players are more prone to unsportsmanlike behaviors. A most recent example is the Durham incident, where three of its players – Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka breached the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bio-bubble.

Danushka Gunathilaka is already known for a poor behavioral record. Such players, had they been more task-oriented than ego-oriented wouldn’t have opted for such careless behavior. A task-oriented cricketer would have realized the stakes they are up against, would have understood the severity of the situation and would have empathized with management and the cricket board’s struggle to put the tournament together.

The key is to strike a balance between the two orientations. You have to be task-oriented during your training and ego-oriented during your matches. This will not only ensure continuous development, but it also ensures continuous effort to win.

How can cricketers strengthen their task-orientation?

Set moderately difficult goals
Practice better time-management of your to-do list
Focus on excellent execution of the process
Sharpen your curiosity about your goals, your sport, your fitness, etc.
Visualize your ultimate dream goal

How can cricketers strengthen their ego-orientation?

Find your USP
Be aware of your limitations
Find your other identities outside your sport of passion
Become friends with failures
Choose your right role-model (https://mindyourwicket.in/2021/05/22/how-to-choose-your-cricket-role-model/)

Exercise

Let’s try an exercise. I want you to go over your training plans for the week. You might already be familiar with it, or you might have to ask your coach for the details. Now, I want you to take a calculated risk. Pick out an activity or domain and be as creative with it as possible. For example, bringing a new bat to practice a shot or focusing on a particular part of your body while bowling. You can also increase the risk by changing your style. You will notice an immediate increase in focus and motivation to accomplish the task. Not only this, but you will also experience a boost in self-confidence and self-esteem. The key is not to be afraid of failure. As Truman Capote would put it, “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” This exercise is merely a demonstration of how easily we can achieve a balance between task and ego orientations so that your performance continuously grows.