Understanding GenAI Prompting through Cricket Examples

🎯 GenAI Prompting Techniques — Explained with a Cricket Twist 🏏

Prompting is the secret sauce behind how you talk to GenAI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc. But let’s be real — it can get a little abstract if you just stick to textbook definitions.

So, let’s spice things up with some desi cricket-style examples. Think of each prompting technique like a strategy in the IPL — from bold sixes to calculated plays. 🏏✨

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🥇 1. Zero-shot Prompting

💬 Meaning: You ask a question without giving any examples.

🏏 Like Dhoni hitting a six without knowing the pitch or bowler — no warm-up, just instinct.

Example:

Instruction: Who won IPL 2023?
Input: (none)
Response: Chennai Super Kings.

🧠 “Thala ko context nahi chahiye, bas ball de!”

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🥈 2. Few-shot Prompting

💬 Meaning: You give a few examples before asking the model to generate.

🏏 Like showing the batsman a couple of deliveries in the nets before the actual match.

Example:

Instruction: Predict the next IPL winner.
Input:
2021: CSK
2022: GT
2023: CSK
Response: Gujarat Titans or CSK again.

🗨️ “Pattern dekh ke hi shot maarte hai bhai!”

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🧠 3. Chain-of-Thought Prompting (CoT)

💬 Meaning: Ask the model to think step-by-step before giving an answer.

🏏 Like Harsha Bhogle analyzing how the game turned — ball by ball.

Example:

Instruction: Who is the greatest IPL finisher? Explain your reasoning.
Input: (none)
Response:
First, let’s consider batting under pressure.
Then, finishing matches in the last over.
MS Dhoni tops all of these.
→ Answer: MS Dhoni

🧠 “First principles thinking, Thala style!”

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🔁 4. Self-Consistency Prompting

💬 Meaning: The model gives multiple answers and picks the most consistent one.

🏏 Like fan polls where 7/10 people pick Dhoni as GOAT, so we just go with that.

Example:

Instruction: Who is the most consistent IPL batsman?
Response:
Kohli
Gill
Kohli
Kohli
→ Final Answer: Kohli.

🗨️ “Zyada log agar Kohli bol rahe hai, toh maan lo bhai!”

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🧾 5. Instruction Prompting

💬 Meaning: Tell the model exactly what to do and how.

🏏 Like a captain clearly telling the bowler: "Yorker hi daalna."

Example:

Instruction: Write in the style of an IPL commentator.
Input: Virat hit a century.
Response:
“Oh my word! That’s a stunning century from King Kohli!”

🎙️ “A voice like Harsha, powered by code!”

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🎯 6. Direct Answer Prompting

💬 Meaning: Ask the model to just give the answer. No story, no sauce.

🏏 Like asking the umpire: “Out or not?” — and he says "Out!" without blinking.

Example:

Instruction: Who has the most wickets in IPL?
Response: Yuzvendra Chahal.

🗨️ “Seedha jawab, no bakwaas.”

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🧍‍♂️ 7. Persona-based Prompting

💬 Meaning: Ask the model to respond like a certain person or character.

🏏 Model becomes Kohli and starts giving interviews!

Example:

Instruction: Explain today's match like you're Virat Kohli.
Response:
“We played like warriors, and I’m proud of the boys!”

🔥 “Thoda aggression toh banta hai!”

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🎭 8. Role-Playing Prompting

💬 Meaning: You and the model take on roles and play them out.

🏏 Like captain vs umpire banter during a review.

Example:

Instruction: I’m the batsman, you’re the coach. Guide me for the last over.
Response:
“Play it safe for 2 balls, then go for the scoop. Trust your instincts.”

🎭 “Ab AI bhi mentor ban gaya hai!”

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🧾 9. Contextual Prompting

💬 Meaning: You give background info to help the model understand better.

🏏 Like sharing pitch report + player stats before team selection.

Example:

Instruction: Predict final over outcome.
Input: 12 runs needed, 1 over left, Dhoni on strike.
Response: MS finishes in 4 balls with two sixes.

🧠 “Pitch report deke bola, Thala handle karega!”

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🖼️ 10. Multimodal Prompting

💬 Meaning: Use images, audio, or other data + text.

🏏 Upload match pic and ask: “What’s happening here?”

Example:

Instruction: Describe this match moment.
Input: Image of last-ball six by Rinku Singh.
Response:
“Kolkata Knight Riders pull off a miracle! Rinku Singh hits 5 sixes!”

📸 “Image dekho, history likhi ja rahi hai!”

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🏁 Final Takeaway:

Each prompting technique is like a different game strategy — some are aggressive like Kohli, some are clever like Dhoni, and some are unpredictable like Rinku Singh!

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