Renowned sports psychologist Sandy Gordon is using the examples of former Indian cricket stars to educate the present crop of players on ways to develop their mental toughness.

Gordon, a South African who has been asked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to carry out research on former players, is using video clippings of previous matches to demonstrate the strong mental attitude of players like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath.

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are also being offered as examples, Gordon said, adding that his research is proving to be effective.

"I am on a research project of the cricket Board to study Indian cricketers of the past two decades and analyse their mental skills," Gordon, who is attending a three-day coaching seminar in Chennai, conducted by MRF, said.

Gordon, who has been working with the Indian team for quite some time now, said he was impressed to find that the cricketers are very keen to develop the psychological aspect of their game.

"It has been an interesting experience in terms of watching the former greats and the current players have reacted to it very well," he said.

"I was impressed with the fact that the current players in the Indian team want to work on the psychological aspect and are working hard on that. They want to learn more and appreciate the essentials of mental toughness."

Gordon said the coaches had a very important role to play in developing the mental strength of the cricketers.

"Delivery of mental skills is also an important aspect of the game. Coaches are to be trained in this area as they are the ones who have the information on players. Periodical assessments by coaches are very important.

"The players must think ahead positively and not concentrate on negative thoughts. Coaches should educate players on how to do it."

Gordon termed sledging as a "normal reaction" of players under pressure situations and said the coaches must help the cricketers in shaping their reaction to sledging.

"I think sledging is a normal reaction to pressure situations. Ninety per cent of the times, it is done in good humour. The receiver should take it as a compliment, like a joke," he said.

"Umpires have to take control if the situation threatens to go out of control. Coaches also need to ease out such situations. They can advise players as to what should they do.

Asked what advice he gives to youngsters as a psychologist, Gordon said, "I teach youngsters coming into the first class game about basic things of mental balance, including on-field remarks. I tell them not to talk, if they cannot add humour to life. I advise them not to consider any remark as sledging but take it as tongue in cheek humour.

"But there has to be a possible line drawn somewhere."