[IPL]- Mahela Jayawardene reveals the key to the success of Mumbai Indians
Ranked one of the most successful captains in the history of cricketing in Sri Lanka, in recent years, Mahela Jayawardene has achieved considerable success in leadership roles. First, as a captain and then as a coach, Jayawardene is known to help his players and sees ‘nothing bad’ about getting players with big egos about a team as long as he can get the best out of them in an ideal environment.
Under the guidance of Jayawardene, prominent IPL franchise Mumbai Indians in the last three editions of the T20 slugfest have won two titles. He said experience is one of the aspects that during his era helped the Mumbai Indians succeed.
“Getting that (big egos) is fine,” he told ESPNCricinfo. “It’s nothing terrible. It’s about recognizing and making sure they’re improving. Everybody has got to this stage because they’re successful, right? And you’re trying to get them to prove that.
Jayawardene is one of the most famous captains in Sri Lanka. Speaking more on managing players with big egos, he said, “It’s about respectfully treating everyone, and treating everyone with dignity. You create a team culture
“The majority of the players will carry that person down to the group level. If you haven’t developed the team atmosphere, then you may have a problem because there are no rules and people are wandering. When you create a culture and get them to buy into the culture, it’s pretty simple. We grant them the right to express themselves in that too.”
“We are trying to get everyone involved in the process. The thing about Mumbai is a lot of guys are getting a lot of experience. There are a few young guys-maybe three or four-but those guys have also played a lot of first-class cricket, and they are experienced players.”
“That’s how you try and get everyone to contribute. It’s always lovely for the captain to obtain suggestions because it’s he who will decide at the end of the day, so the more feedback he gets (from others), the more it affects his thought process.”
Once asked whether he’s ever felt the loss of influence over the dressing room in any of his leadership positions, he replied in the negative. “This just didn’t happen. Whatever I do, I am sincere. We can have brutally frank conversations. Nothing is personal.”
“You have to maintain your respect for one another. If there are clarity and no agenda, then the players understand that.
“I also send the hilt back to the players, whether as a captain or a coach. I am still at the side of the players, “he said.
