Captaincy is one of the most fun parts of the game. It makes the already mentally tough game into a tactical puzzle akin to a game of chess.

So when you are skipper it behoves you to think like a chess grandmaster.

Top chess players are able to think many moves far ahead in the game. They quickly process the possibilities of each move by themselves and their opponents. This is exactly how a good captain operates.

It's a cliché to think someone who asks "who's winning?" knows nothing about cricket. It's also true, except for the advanced cricket captain, who is always asking that very question.

He or she knows exactly who hold the momentum of the game, then based on that knowledge is formulating tactics for anything up to 10 overs in the future: fielding positions based on batsmen's shots, bowling changes and batting order decisions.

But it doesn't end there.

Not only are you thinking in future, you also have to keep your eye on the present. If there are a few boundaries or a couple of wickets the entire momentum of the game changes. If you are still working on your 5 over plan, you miss the change in the current situation.

So, stay mindful and make your future plans. If you can do those mental acrobats with ease, captaincy success is assured.