Milind Kumar has made a big name for himself in USA’s white-ball cricket. The former Delhi and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) player grabbed attention by smashing his first One Day International (ODI) century, scoring an impressive 155* from 110 balls. In just seven ODI matches, he has accumulated 354 runs at an incredible average of 70. While he is now receiving well-deserved praise, his career faced a turning point after the Major League Cricket (MLC) in July, which Milind describes as the lowest moment of his 15-year-long professional journey.
The Turning Point in Milind’s Career
Milind’s career was in a tough spot. Despite having a strong record in Indian domestic cricket, including being the top run-scorer in the 2018 Ranji Trophy, his start in the international scene was shaky. He failed to perform in the T20 World Cup and in matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. His form worsened during the MLC, scoring only 50 runs in seven innings while being moved around the batting order for the Texas Super Kings.
“I was putting too much pressure on myself to perform,” Milind explained. “I had high expectations and was very hard on myself after every failure. After the MLC season, I called my coach, Haresh Kumar, in India. I sent him videos of my net sessions and dismissals. He suggested a few changes in my grip and batlift.“
He also mentioned, “The mental conditioning coach at Super Kings encouraged me to follow a meditation routine before and after the game. I’ve also added breathing exercises to my routine before facing a delivery. This has really helped me stay calm and focus on the game.“
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Finding Success with a New Routine
Milind’s new approach started working after the MLC, as he returned to form with a smooth half-century. He was selected for the ODI squad for the Netherlands tour but was dropped for the T20I matches that followed. Struggling at the unfamiliar number 6 position in T20Is, he was eventually moved to number 4 in the ODIs, thanks to the support of captain Monank Patel. In this role, Milind scored a half-century and a solid 47, showing his full potential as an international batsman.
Since then, Milind has looked unstoppable in ODI cricket. He credits his success to the trust placed in him, which allows him to play his natural game. When he is in form, Milind exudes calmness at the crease. He is especially skilled at handling spin bowling and maintaining strong batting fundamentals. In the Netherlands, where the pitches were difficult for batting, Milind was one of the few who adapted well.
Milind’s Rise in Namibia
In Namibia, Milind further elevated his game. Before his incredible 155*, he rescued the USA with a quick 74*, helping them win with 5 overs to spare. Over the years, USA’s middle order has been inconsistent and often crumbles under pressure. However, Milind’s steady but adaptable batting style has been the perfect solution to the team’s middle-order struggles. His recent innings have highlighted his versatility as a batsman, including his ability to hit 10 sixes, proving wrong those who doubted his power-hitting skills.
Milind Kumar is not just a T20 player. He has shown that he can excel in the longer format and be the reliable force USA’s middle order has long needed.
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