Hard work that started last summer paid off: Gonsalves

By Paritosh Pramanik

IT ALL started in the ‘Summer of 2019’. The seeds were sowed in the month of April and May when coach Trevor Gonsalves and his team along with VCA officials sat together to draw the roadmap. Those months of planning and players’ dedication bore fruit in the form of the maiden Under-23 Col CK Nayudu title.
The only trophy which was missing from Vidarbha Cricket Association’s overflowing cabinet, found its place on Friday when the side won the final defeating hosts Madhya Pradesh by eight wickets.
Coach Gonsalves was elated that finally his team managed to bring at least one trophy home after a barren 2019-20 season.
“It’s an amazing feeling. We have worked so hard for this day. But it was not easy past 11-12 months. Our planning started last year around April-May,” said Gonsalves from Indore after the title win.
It was not an easy ask for Gonsalves to keep the team motivated specially when 6-7 players were representing the Vidarbha Ranji trophy side. 
“It was tough to keep the balance in the side. All through the tournament we were supplying players for the senior side. That’s why we started planning in advance. We were aware of our Colts playing for senior side and hence we started the backup team which helped us during the league matches,” revealed Gonsalves.
“It’s a sort of record that we gave seven players for Ranji Trophy and yet managed to clinch the CK Nayudu Trophy,” added Gonsalves.
The coach admitted that it was very difficult to keep the guys motivated when seven top players were not with the team.
“It was really difficult to keep the team members motivated when seven top players were not with you. We had to start from the scratch,” said the coach.
Such strong was the team combination that in some matches Mohit Kale, who was even named captain, had to sit out. But the motivational talks during summer and monsoon season helped keep the players motivated.
“It was very tough to keep the players motivated after they were left out of the squad. Player like Mohit had to warm the bench in a few matches. 
“But the classes (motivational) we conducted during summer and monsoon season helped a lot in keeping these players pumped up,” said Gonsalves.
On the final, Gonsalves said motivating the players helped a lot. “On second night I asked them to do something extraordinary if they want to become extraordinary. 
“I gave them example of Virat Kohli how he showed his exemplary skills to reach the top. They performed brilliantly today and the result is there to be seen,” said the coach.