5 things that go through a batsman's mind while facing a bowler in a Test match

Batting for a long time during a test match can be a tiring and cumbersome process, especially in a hot and humid environment, and with the opposition bowlers running in with all their might.

To keep themselves motivated and focussed throughout the day, a batsman often tends to think of interesting things to keep his mind occupied.

Here are the top 5 things on a batsman’s mind while facing a bowler in a test match.

Note: This is a humorous piece and the views are not intended to be taken literally.

#1 What's for Food?

While batting – whether it's during the first over or the last, a common thing which is on every batsman’s mind is – Food. Apart from worrying about Mitchell Starc’s toe-crunching yorkers, or Ravichandran Ashwin’s carrom ball, a batsman worries about what he’s going to eat during the break.

During the morning session, a batsman thinks about what’s going to be served for lunch as he starts working up his appetite by hitting a few shots here and there. During the 2nd session, he thinks about what scrumptious snacks are going to be served during tea, and of course, during the last session, they reflect on the wonderful food that the hotel is going to serve them at night.

#2 Music

Well, If you’re Virender Sehwag, then the only thing going on in your mind while batting is a tune of a hit song, or a “bhajan”. Cricketers like him, often like to take the pressure off themselves while batting by singing to themselves or humming a tune.

It might also be used by a batsman to taunt a bowler by showing him that he could even hit him for a six while not concentrating completely, or who knows? – it could also be used to scare off or irritate a bowler with his “bathroom singer” voice.

This brilliant strategy is also used by the batsman to entertain themselves so that they do not get bored of defending the ball for a long time. Hmmm...I wonder if Rahul Dravid ever used this tactic while defending the ball over and over and over and over again.

#3 Kill the opposition....of Boredom

Well, if you’re AB de Villiers and know that you are going to lose the match because of the beauty of a pitch that was Nagpur, there is the only thing you can think of – bore the fielding team to death.

Together with Hashim Amla, who is oh-so-consistent in playing a slow innings, the duo had teamed up to try and bore Ravi Ashwin and Sir Ravindra Jadeja to death by throwing everything but their bat, at the ball. Alas, this strategy did not turn out to be a success as Ashwin and Jaddu worked wonders with the ball and India won that match comfortably.

Believe it or not, a similar type of innings was played in an ODI as well, by our very own Sunil Gavaskar, way back in 1975. With 335 to chase in 60 overs, Gavaskar decided to take things a little too slow by scoring 36 runs in 174 balls. I wonder what was going on his head at the time.

#4 Responses to bowlers sledging

Sledging – the art of unnerving the opposition is a strategy mainly used by the fielding team when a batsman is on the crease. So, what a batsman thinks about while facing a bowler in a test match are responses to the possibility of being on the receiving end some sledges.

If you are Sreesanth, you just response to the sliding by hitting a six and dancing. There could not have been a better response than that.

Batting on a long, hard day can take a toll on the batsman, so they find themselves thinking of appropriate responses to the sledges received, and use them when needed. Sometimes, the responses are aptly shown with the bat itself, whereas, at times, batsmen come up with witty verbal replies to shut the bowlers up.

#5 Is she watching?

With cricket being played with 22 men on the field, they feel the need to impress some particular person watching them from the stands or on T.V.

Batting in a test match can be a flat and dull affair, but what keeps the batsman going for hours together is the thought of their special loved ones cheering them on from the stands.

While married cricketers go on to impress their respective wives with some classy knocks, the others try to impress some “special” person in the stands with some unique shot making or doing something out of the box.

Who knows – shots like The “Dil Scoop” might have been invented to win over someone’s “Dil,” right?

While sometimes, a WAG in the stands can help motivate a batsman to perform better, there are times when the opposite happens. *cough* Virat Kohli *cough*.