Sachin Tendulkar, a member of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) Core Committee, emphasized that technology should serve as a tool to aid cricketers' preparation without interfering with instinctive decision-making on the field. Speaking at the ISPL Season 4 Player Auction in Mumbai on November 15, Tendulkar encouraged young players to trust their natural instincts during competition while using technology to support their practice.
“Technology should be an enabler, not a distraction. Use it while practicing, but when you step onto the field to compete, trust your natural instincts and allow your subconscious mind to take over. In cricket, a batter has very little time to process information when a bowler is running in. You can have your game plans in place, but once you are out in the middle, it is important to keep a clear mind and back yourself to react instinctively. Technology can help you to a certain extent, but ultimately, you have to trust yourself. That is when you perform at your best,” he said.
The auction was attended by ISPL Core Committee members Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar, Minal Amol Kale, Suraj Samat, and Head Selectors Jatin Paranjape and Pravin Amre, in addition to franchise co-owners Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan of the Tigers of Kolkata.
Tendulkar also highlighted the ISPL's role in providing grassroots opportunities to emerging talent nationwide through a transparent, performance-based selection and evaluation system. He remarked, “Talent is like flowing water. You may be able to stop it temporarily, but you cannot block it forever. Irrespective of whether a player comes from the biggest city or the smallest town, talent will always find its way. With ISPL, we are making every effort to ensure that the selection process is transparent and fair, where performances are rewarded.”
Citing the example of Vivek Shelar, who secured a place in the Maharashtra squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after strong performances in ISPL Season 3, Tendulkar stated, “This is fantastic news for ISPL and a sign that we are moving in the right direction. I believe this is just the beginning, and we will continue to produce more players who make us proud.”
He urged aspiring cricketers to maintain their enjoyment of the game despite growing pressures, advising, “The most important lesson is to keep things simple and never forget why you first picked up a cricket bat or ball. As you progress, ambitions, expectations and responsibilities grow, and somewhere along the way, the pressure can take away the joy of playing the game. I realized this during an injury break when I was playing practice matches at smaller venues in England. It struck me that, amidst all the training, discipline and responsibilities, I had almost forgotten to enjoy the game. My advice to all the players here would be to keep things simple, express yourselves on the field and never let the child in you who fell in love with cricket get lost along the way.”
The ISPL, India's pioneering tennis-ball T10 tournament, continues to strengthen the grassroots cricket ecosystem by offering aspiring cricketers a professional platform to showcase their talent. As it prepares for its fourth season, the league remains committed to nurturing and creating opportunities for emerging players across the country.