KCR Academy coach Deepali Rokade on nurturing young cricketers the right way
In an era where young cricketers are increasingly exposed to cutting-edge technology, performance analytics, and demanding fitness programmes, Deepali Rokade, coach at KCR Academy, believes the essence of the game should never be lost.
“Cricket is a game of bat and ball. Don’t complicate it for young boys and girls. Keep it simple. If they enjoy the game and master the basics, everything else will follow,” says Rokade.
According to her, every child enters the game with a unique set of abilities, a different learning curve, and their own pace of development. A coach’s responsibility is not to rush that journey but to create an environment where young players feel confident, comfortable, and excited to learn.
At KCR Academy, the focus is on identifying each player’s strengths before introducing advanced techniques. Coaches work closely with every child to build strong fundamentals before gradually developing technical skills, game awareness, and match temperament through structured yet enjoyable training sessions.
“Every child is different. As coaches, we must understand what works for each player instead of expecting every youngster to fit into the same mould. Good coaching is about adapting to the child, not the other way around,” she explains.
One area where Rokade feels parents and coaches need to exercise greater patience is physical conditioning. While fitness is an integral part of modern cricket, she believes children should not be subjected to intense gym sessions or demanding strength programmes too early in their development.
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“Young players need to fall in love with the game first. Their stamina, coordination, agility, balance and strength should develop naturally through cricket-specific drills and age-appropriate training. Overloading children at an early stage can lead to injuries, mental fatigue and, most importantly, a loss of interest in the sport,” she says.
Instead of chasing quick results, KCR Academy is committed to developing complete cricketers. Every session is designed to improve technique, decision-making, physical conditioning and self-belief while ensuring that learning remains enjoyable. Rokade believes patience is one of the most overlooked ingredients in player development. Parents often expect immediate success, but cricket rewards consistency, discipline and perseverance over an extended period.
“There are no shortcuts in cricket. Improvement happens one practice session at a time. Players who trust the process and keep working on the basics are the ones who ultimately succeed,” she says.
She also believes that confidence grows when children are allowed to make mistakes without the fear of failure.
“Mistakes are part of learning. If children are constantly worried about getting things wrong, they stop expressing themselves. Our job is to encourage them, guide them and help them grow with confidence,” Rokade adds.
This philosophy forms the cornerstone of KCR Academy’s coaching methodology. Rather than producing short-term performers, the academy aims to nurture technically sound, mentally resilient and physically prepared cricketers capable of succeeding at every level of the game.
As youth cricket continues to evolve, Deepali Rokade’s message serves as a timely reminder for players, parents and coaches alike: keep the game simple, trust the process, and allow young talent the time and space to flourish.
“Our objective isn’t just to produce good cricketers. We want to develop disciplined, confident individuals who enjoy the sport and continue learning every single day. When the foundation is strong, success naturally follows.”
