- Any true connoisseurs, experts, ex-players, and most importantly, cricket-crazy fans in India and around the world would vouch in unison about the indubitable nature of the subject matter. Why only cricket, for that matter? Every sporting discipline in the world would unequivocally assert in no uncertain terms that the form of a great player having established himself/herself over years of top-class performances consistently may suffer a temporary loss now and then. However, what should not be missed here is that the greatness of a player comes to the fore when the chips are down, and the odds are greatly stacked against them. This is where the great players find motivation, determination, and resilience to bounce back, fighting against the tide and all odds.
PC: The Peninsula Qatar
- Sporting icons are never going to allow negativity, criticism, minute observations, and indifferent questioning to affect them simply because of the inherently built steely resolve to counter challenges thrown. They are attuned to find a way out not only by galvanizing their own fortunes by digging deep into their capabilities with great perseverance, but also by completely shutting out pessimistic retorts, making way for a dominant reemergence to prove Doubting Thomases wrong. Not for nothing are such high-quality performers anointed as great players: they have an uncluttered mindset and take on challenges with aplomb. Mind you, they are not going to throw in the towel before exhausting all options available at their disposal.
PC: Medium
- The moot point to ponder over here is what separates ordinary performers from greats who, when every other pointer shows their much-acclaimed oeuvre is on the wane, is overturned through yet another instance of spectacular comeback much against the expectations. As the popular saying goes – when you expand limits, the limit expands – time and again reemphasized through unbelievable exhibition on the field. Of course, the sporting fields often hold a mirror to what’s happening on the other fronts too, including domestic and professional ones, where every human being is expected to struggle as well as go through the rigmarole. Note that there is no free lunch in life and one cannot cut corners. Our bluff will be called out sooner rather than later. Simple.
PC: The Statesman
- While we ponder over how to overcome those seemingly insurmountable and debilitatingly life-altering challenges, what should not be forgotten or pushed to the back burner is to rekindle the inherent strength possessed by us to good effect. What goes between the ears matters most. As such, positively yielding thought processes and constantly picking our inner selves to conquer whatever obstacles are strewn along the way should be our most important move. Innumerable instances are available for inspiration. What better way than to look, assess, and follow so many sporting icons out there who have proved detractors wrong by spectacularly bouncing back. Let’s vow to never become pushovers, but achievers prepared to take on the world come what may.
