Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 7: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) into its coaching methods through a partnership with Singapore-based technology firm Level Up Sportslytics, aiming to enhance the training and performance analysis of cricketers.

Under the initiative, the company will work with MCA coaches at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The MCA has described itself as the first cricket association in India to adopt AI technology in its coaching programme.

MCA president Ajinkya Naik said the association was taking this step to keep pace with technological advancements and explore how AI could improve the performance of players and coaches.

“We need to change as per the time. Technology has played an important role behind the scene and it’s showing us what it can do to reach any goal. We are trying to adopt AI in our daily nets session and we will see how it benefits our coaches and players to excel. It’s just a pilot project now. We will be taking feedback from coaches and players on how it has helped them,” Naik said.

As part of the system, each practice pitch will be equipped with four cameras positioned at different angles to capture every movement of a batter. The same technology can also be used to analyse bowlers and their techniques.

Coaches will be able to access detailed performance data through an application provided by the company. For instance, if a coach wants to study a player's back-foot shots, the player's name can be entered into the application to retrieve the relevant footage and analysis.

Level Up Sportslytics made a detailed presentation to the MCA in August and also conducted a pilot project before the association decided to take the initiative forward.

Sitanshu Dash, founder and CEO of Level Up Sportslytics, said several cricket stakeholders in India and abroad were exploring the potential of AI, but the MCA had taken a step towards implementing the technology in its coaching programme.

“Across India and around the world, everyone in cricket is interested in AI. Far fewer are willing to put their weight behind a technology and say: we will implement it, and we will take our coaching to the next level,” Dash said.

He said the technology could significantly expand a coach's ability to analyse players and make more efficient use of training time.

“With this technology, we believe a coach’s reach can grow anywhere from 20 to 100 times. This AI will assist coaches virtually. It is a tool in the coach’s hands, so they can do more with less of their time,” he said.

Dash also praised the MCA coaches for their interest in understanding the technology and its potential applications in cricket training.

The initiative is currently at the pilot stage, and the MCA will seek feedback from coaches and players before deciding on its wider implementation.