A Personal Reflection on Cricket, IFS, and the Philosophy of Bazball

For a while now, ever since I began delving deeper into Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and really understanding its model and underlying assumptions, I’ve found myself noticing its relevance across various aspects of my life. I see where it fits, where it excels, and even where it may fall short. One particular area where I’ve noticed its resonance is in one of my personal passions—cricket. As an Indian, cricket is not just a national sport; it’s a game I’ve played and cherished for many years.

When I watch cricket today, my fascination goes beyond the technical excellence, the thrilling performances, and the inevitable drama. I find myself curious about what’s happening inside the players’ minds and within the teams. What’s going on internally that shapes the decisions on the pitch? This curiosity was heightened while watching The Test on Amazon Prime—a documentary that offers an inside look into the minds of players, teams, coaches, support staff, and even their families. It was a vivid reminder that cricket, like life, isn’t played in isolation. We bring everything—from our lives, emotions, and experiences—into the game.

This introspective lens became even more focused during the recent Ashes series. The revitalized England team under the Bazball philosophy captured my attention. Initially, I was clueless about what Bazball really entailed. However, after diving into cricket literature, listening to experts, and reflecting on what I was seeing, I began to wonder—could there be a connection between Bazball and Internal Family Systems therapy? Could this new cricketing philosophy, with its mixed reception but undeniable success, be understood through the IFS lens?

The more I explored, the more I recognised the parallels between Bazball and the principles of being self-led rather than parts-led, as emphasized in IFS. In this article, I want to explore these ideas in greater detail, explaining what it means to be parts-led versus self-led, and how this concept might shed light on why Bazball has not only been successful but could also offer a more sustainable and holistic approach to player well-being and future success compared to traditional cricketing philosophies.

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)

IFS was Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s and based on the idea that the human mind is composed of multiple ‘parts,’ each with its own distinct role and personality. These parts represent real aspects of our psyche that help us navigate the complexities of life. Central to IFS is the concept of the Self, a core aspect of our being that embodies qualities such as compassion, curiosity, calmness, and confidence.

IFS operates on the principle that everyone possesses a Self, and that this Self can lead the internal system with wisdom and balance. The goal of IFS therapy is to help individuals connect with their Self, from which they can engage with each of their parts in a healthy, balanced manner. By fostering strong internal relationships through qualities of the Self, individuals can support parts that may have taken on extreme roles, allowing them to relax and function in a more harmonious and constructive way. While IFS therapy has proven effective in therapeutic settings, I believe that its principles hold significant potential for application in high-performance environments, including sports. By helping athletes manage their internal dynamics, IFS can contribute to better decision-making, emotional resilience, and overall performance on the field.

Parts-Led Systems: The Strain of Single-Minded Focus

International cricketers face a unique set of challenges that significantly impact their performance and mental well-being. The relentless demands of consistently performing at a high level, coupled with the intense scrutiny from fans, coaches, and the media, create a pressure cooker environment. As AB de Villiers once remarked, “It’s been unbearable at times: the pressure you have to face, performing day in and day out… it’s something that’s on your mind all the time as a cricketer.” This sentiment is echoed by Naseem Shah, who revealed, “There is a lot going on in a cricketer’s life behind the scenes about which people are not aware.”

In response to these pressures, players, teams, and coaches often fall back on what they know—reverting to the strategies and mental frameworks that were ingrained in them early on. These often include perfectionistic, driven, and unrelenting parts of their psyche that have historically been reinforced as effective tools for managing uncertainty, fear, and feelings of inadequacy. These parts were often developed in different contexts, perhaps during their formative years when they were under the guidance of parents, early coaches, or playing in less intense environments. While these strategies may have served them well in the past, the international cricket arena presents a vastly different set of challenges, requiring adaptation and a more nuanced approach. However, these old, reactive ways of coping often resurface under pressure, without acknowledging the new context of international cricket or the evolved capacities of the players themselves.

When a cricketer becomes parts-led, these perfectionistic and driven aspects start to overshadow other equally important parts of their personality. For instance, a player might become excessively focused on perfecting their technique, obsessively honing their batting or bowling as a way to control the game and stave off failure. Others might push through physical pain and fatigue, motivated by a deep-seated belief in toughness and resilience, even when their body is crying out for rest.

This intense focus on one set of responses can lead to significant challenges. Cricketers may find themselves excessively focused on scoring runs or taking wickets, obsessing over minor technical flaws, or becoming overly reactive during pressure moments. The perfectionistic parts, which have been reinforced over time, can start to dominate, leaving little room for flexibility or balance.

This parts-led approach can result in players making decisions based more on immediate reactions or fear than on mindful, considered choices. For instance, under pressure, a batsman might opt for a risky shot to force a boundary rather than taking a safer single. Teams might radically alter their strategies, either becoming overly conservative or, conversely, taking unnecessary risks that could have been avoided with a more balanced approach.

The imbalance created by this intense, singular focus can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and eventually burnout. When cricketers are driven primarily by these dominant parts, they often suppress other vital aspects of themselves—such as the need for rest, emotional expression, or even the simple joy of the game. It’s not just about the physical toll; the psychological impact is profound. The internal system of a cricketer can start to feel like a seesaw, constantly tipping from one extreme to another, or like a boat keeling from side to side, never finding true stability.

Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell encapsulates this struggle, stating, “It can certainly wear you down when you’re putting on a mask of being an international, domestic, whatever cricketer you are… you can forget who you are, and forget what sort of person you are.” Similarly, Yuvraj Singh’s experience during the 2011 World Cup, where he pushed through severe illness to perform for his country, is a poignant reminder of how this relentless drive can sometimes come at the expense of one’s health and well-being.

Becoming More Self-Led: Integrating IFS into Sport

The pressures of international cricket, as discussed earlier, often drive players, teams, and coaches into a reactive state where old, deeply ingrained coping mechanisms take over. These parts of themselves—perfectionism, relentless drive, and an unyielding focus on technique—may have been necessary and effective in the past, perhaps during their early development or in less intense environments. However, when these parts dominate in the context of international competition, they can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a loss of joy in the game.

To move beyond this reactive, parts-led approach, athletes need to become more self-led. This means stepping back from automatic responses and instead, making mindful, intentional choices in how they respond to external pressures. As Virat Kohli eloquently puts it, “I personally have experienced times when even in a room full of people who support and love me, I felt alone, and I am sure that this is a feeling that a lot of people can relate to. So, take out time for yourself and reconnect with your core self. If you lose that connection, it wouldn’t take very long for other things to crumble around you.”

Kohli’s words emphasize the importance of reconnecting with oneself—of recognizing and understanding the different parts that are triggered by stress and pressure, and then choosing how to respond from a place of calm, compassion, and courage. This is the essence of becoming self-led, as advocated by Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

When athletes face the inevitable pressures of their sport—whether it’s a poor performance, media criticism, or the weight of expectations—these challenges can trigger deep-seated feelings of inadequacy, fear, or failure. These emotions are often not new; they have roots in earlier experiences, perhaps from childhood or early career moments. The natural response, driven by these activated parts, might be to double down on training, to push harder, or to obsess over technique. However, these responses often exacerbate the stress rather than alleviate it.

Becoming self-led involves a different approach. It starts with self-awareness: recognizing when these parts are activated and understanding their origins. For instance, if a player feels like they’re not good enough after a string of low scores, this might trigger an old part of them that was once driven by a fear of failure, perhaps reinforced by early coaching or parental expectations. Instead of allowing this part to take over, a self-led approach encourages the player to acknowledge the feeling, understand its source, and then respond with the qualities of Self—compassion, calmness, and curiosity.

This process can transform these reactive parts into valuable resources. Instead of being driven by fear, a player might rediscover the joy of the game, reignite their passion, and approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and openness. These qualities don’t just lead to better performance; they bring balance, resilience, and a deeper sense of fulfillment to the athlete’s life.

However, this journey toward becoming more self-led cannot be achieved through individual effort alone. Therapy, particularly IFS therapy, plays a crucial role in helping athletes navigate this complex internal landscape. But beyond therapy, the environment in which an athlete operates is equally important.

Teams and organisations must foster a culture where self-awareness, emotional expression, and mental health are prioritised alongside physical training and performance metrics. When leaders—coaches, teammates, and mentors—model a balanced approach to life and sport, it sends a powerful message that well-being is just as important as winning. This cultural shift helps athletes feel safe in embracing all parts of themselves, leading to more authentic and empowered performances on the field.

Moreover, the broader ecosystem surrounding the athlete—sponsors, media, and fans—must also play a role. When the focus is not solely on outcomes like runs or wickets but also on the athlete’s overall well-being, it creates a more supportive environment. This shift allows athletes to honour and integrate the parts of themselves that may have been suppressed, leading to a more sustainable and fulfilling career.

In essence, becoming more self-led in sport is a collective effort. It requires not only individual work in therapy but also a supportive environment that values the athlete as a whole person, encouraging them to integrate all parts of themselves for sustained performance and well-being.

Bazball: A Case Study in Becoming More Self-Led

The transformation of the England cricket team under the Bazball philosophy, introduced by head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, represents a revolutionary shift in how Test cricket is approached. Before McCullum’s arrival in May 2022, England’s cricket team was in a state of crisis, having won only one of their last 17 Test matches. The team was entrenched in a defensive, cautious mindset, with players often playing to avoid mistakes rather than to express their true potential. External pressures from the media, fans, and cricketing authorities exacerbated this, leading to a rigid approach that stifled creativity and player autonomy.

Bazball brought a significant cultural shift, empowering players to express themselves freely and play the game in a way that felt authentic to them. McCullum encapsulated this shift by saying, “Our ambition is to play the way that we play, and if we get beaten, it’s fine. But we’re not going to die wondering.” This philosophy encouraged players to trust their instincts and make decisions based on their own strengths rather than conforming to traditional expectations. Stokes echoed this sentiment, stating, “There’s a real sense of freedom in the way that we’re playing now. It’s about going out there, expressing yourself, and not worrying about making mistakes. We’re all backing each other, and that’s making a huge difference.”

Commentators have also noted the relaxed and confident atmosphere in the team, with players appearing more united and supportive of one another. The approach has been credited with bringing a new sense of enjoyment to the game, where the focus is as much on the process and the experience as it is on the result. This shift in mentality has been key to the team’s success, as it has allowed players to play more instinctively and with greater confidence, leading to some remarkable performances on the field.

While Bazball has been praised for its transformative impact, it has also faced criticism for its perceived lack of adaptability and situational awareness. Critics argue that a more flexible approach could mitigate the risks associated with an overly aggressive strategy. However, the philosophy’s emphasis on self-led decision-making suggests that adaptability is inherently part of the approach, and as the team continues to refine its strategies, there is every indication that Bazball will evolve to meet these challenges head-on

The concept of becoming more self-led does not guarantee success in every instance. However, by fostering an environment where athletes can connect with their self, make mindful decisions, and express their true potential, teams can not only achieve better outcomes but also cultivate a sense of joy and fulfillment in the process. While elite sporting environments are inherently stressful and full of challenges, the example of Bazball shows that external pressures and challenging situations—such as losses, injuries, unfair decisions, and external expectations—are inevitable. However, self-led systems empower players to determine their responses to these external situations in more mindful and constructive ways. This approach helps athletes to focus on the process and enjoyment of the sport while still valuing outcomes, ensuring that neither is compromised.