GABBA SAGA
RISE OF THE PHOENIX
“You cannot take anything for granted, never ever underestimate the Indians, 1.5 billion (people in India) and you play in the senior team, you have to be really tough. I couldn’t appreciate India enough”
-Justin Langer , Australian cricket team coach
This statement shows his magnanimity, sportsmanship and true appreciation for talent.
But what makes this test match so special that we had to write a whole article about it?
When a visiting team is bundled within a session for 36-all out, it is natural for everyone to forecast that this team will end up with 0–4.
On the verge of disaster, amidst all possible challenges, if these young lads. could win with 2–1, it changes our whole outlook on it. It is the first fruit of the cricket season which was sown seven years ago by Indian cricket board and Rahul Dravid.
What did it teach us?
- BE FEARLESS-
Fearlessness is one of the most important traits the team has exhibited against formidable opponents through their indomitable spirit. We can take the example of fearless batting by Shubman Gill, rock-solid defending by Cheteshwar Pujara and flamboyant knocks of Rishabh Pant. These underdogs proved to us that a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude (not recklessness) results in fearlessness.
2. STAY HUNGRY, STAY FOOLISH-
Even though they were aware that many of them will not be in the planned 11s, they have exhibited their hunger by being ready with situational awareness and determined to break all the stereotypes.
3. GRAB OPPORTUNITIES-
Many of them have come from a very humble background, and they were not abundantly presented with opportunities, but their killer instinct made sure they grabbed every tiny opportunity that came their way. In a way, their upbringing made them mentally strong. Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj and T. Natarajan are the best examples for this.
4. NEVER GIVE UP-
The team came across many interim setbacks, like 36-all out, key players out in the 3rd test, etc., but this did not deter their self belief. They have played as per the situation demanded with a ‘never give up’ attitude. They lived in the present and demonstrated their mental strength.
5. RESPOND WITH RESULTS-
They have channelized their emotions in the right directions, whether it is on account of deliberate sledging or personal loss of life (Mohammed Siraj lost his father). They have always focused on positive results and did not get carried away by emotional obstacles.
6. RESULTS NOT REASONS-
Think of a scenario where they could have easily given excuses of their inexperience, not enough practice due to covid, injury of senior players, Australian climatic conditions, not mentally prepared for playing a match, unbeaten statistics of Australian team, etc. etc.. Instead they have opted to go all in and prove themselves through their victory.
7. ACCOUNTABILITY-
Let us not forget they got more brickbats than bouquets for every step they took and every temporary setback. BCCI, Rahul Dravid, Ravi Shastri and Virat Koli should be given credits for setting up the platform and guiding them in the process. Even within the team, everyone played as a leader with situational awareness which is really commendable.
8. HYPOTHESIS-
Think of a scenario when the same team lost this match in spite of their bravo effort. Would we have still praised their effort? Or would we have made a meme out of them? The physio, the bowling coach and the overall coach must have gotten flak. So this is not the victory of an individual or of the team for that matter. It is the victory of the process.
To sum it up, we only infer statistics when it comes to reasons and not results. While statistics may provide probability but can never provide the absolute truth.
Throughout the match, the team enjoyed the challenge by accepting it wholeheartedly without compromising the fun element of it. We can learn a leaf from this extraordinary team and adopt it in our daily life.
“Once you start a working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”
~ Chanakya
Signing off
A Balaji and B Shrinidhi
