Tag Archives: #cricketers

The embodiment of L to P of Leadership and still learning!


“He listened to my idea for a minute, started (resumed) playing the game (on PlayStation) and said, ‘Do what you want, I have complete belief in you.’ And the next day I started bowling over the stumps.”
Said Ravichandran Ashwin in an interview with Cricbuzz decoding the strategy of Warner’s dismissal (in Bengaluru Test, 2017) that he had mentally worked out, to his Captain.
Need I say anything more about how should a good leader be?
“Ashwin had picked up 2 wickets in the first innings including that of Warner and in the second innings he ran through the Australian batting line-up by picking six for 41 as India drew level with a 75-run victory.

India then went on to win the series 2-1.”
(Source: Hindustan Times)
Virat has, for sure, set some high standards in always backing the instincts of his bowlers and letting them experiment freely, while also chipping in with his valuable inputs and setting the wickets of/field for particular batsmen.

“All three of us — Ishant (Sharma), (Jasprit) Bumrah, and I want to bowl with a new ball. When we are not able to choose, we approach Virat to decide. But he throws the ball back in our court saying whatever you all decide is fine by me,” Shami said.
Source: India TV

“We were playing the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla. It was getting into a draw and Chandimal was batting on 140 or 150, Ash was bowling, Chandimal hit one towards midwicket. It was in the mandatory overs, the match was going to end and he got a 248 in that match if I am not mistaken. And he runs as if his life depended on that ball, picks that ball and does an acrobatic throw,” R Sridhar, The fielding Coach of Team India told FanCode.

“You have a captain, who comes out to fielding practice till the time he is bleeding, I have seen that. There have been times where I would tell him – Virat enough. I have to save Virat from Virat sometimes. You have a captain like that, for me, it’s a dream come true,” he added.
Source: cricketaddictor.com

During an exclusive interview on Star Sports Cricket Connected, Gautam Gambhir said, “He was always a very smart cricketer, but then he turned his entire T20 career into a very successful one, just by being supremely fit. Probably because he does not have the strength of Chris Gayle, he doesn’t have the ability of AB de Villiers, he probably does not have the ability of somebody likes Jacques Kallis or Brian Lara. The biggest strength he’s got is now his fitness and he’s turned that into his game as well, that’s why he has become so successful, so you got to give it to the guy. The most important thing is that he runs really well between the wickets, not many people do it.”
Source: m.mid-day.com
Also checkout: https://internationaljournalofresearch.com/2020/06/09/virat-kohli-the-man-who-brought-about-a-fitness-revolution-in-global-cricket/

“I remember when I was new in the team he backed me a lot. In fact, now also, he is always there for me. He always appreciates your skills and we have a great tuning together,” he further added.

Kuldeep further went on to reveal Kohli’s best quality. “The best quality of Virat is that he also understands the team and its player’s well which makes our job easy on field,” he said.


In an interview also with Hindustan Times, Chahal said that Virat ‘talks me out of the negative mindset’.
Even if I am being hit by a batsman, Virat Bhaiya turns to me and talks me out of that negative mindset. That rapport is also there when we play for RCB.

On Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected, Yuzvendra Chahal said, “I have been playing with him for around 6 years now since our RCB days. One thing I have learned is that he is a down to earth person. No matter how much fame he has got, he will take everyone with him — whether it’s personal or on field; that I have learned from him.”

I know that he’s a gym freak and how he has changed his body. I want to learn that from him. I have seen him since he was 18-19- the transformation after 2012 or 2013, if anyone adopts even 30 per cent of what Virat did, it’s more than enough.”

In a recent chat in the fifth episode of ‘The Mind Behind’,

Rahul was questioned which batsman he would pick if he had to select someone to bat for his life. In his reply, the 27-year-old named Kohli as his choice. “I’ll go with Virat because I know, everybody knows he is a great player,” he said. We share a great friendship and he will give it all to save my life”.

“Virat, Rohit (Sharma) or Ravi sir don’t come and teach you the game. They have given me that freedom,” said Hardik Pandya.

“The security that they gave me backing with all their heart helped big time. That was the reason I started taking decisions on my own,” he added

Being blatantly honest here, maximum of these quoted statements of the articles are published within the previous 24 hours only. And if I go on to find more instances to support the fact how great a leader this man is, I’d terribly fail cause there are umpteen number of incidents happening ever since the guy became the Test Captain in 2015 post World Cup and India’s full-time captain in early 2017 and there are a lot more bound to happen provided that he stays motivated & passionate, which I know, you know, whole of India knows and the entire cricketing fraternity knows too, that he would and the blessings from the God keep outpouring.

Kohli smashed his 28th ODI ton with a stunning knock of 111* off 115 deliveries during the 5th India Vs West Indies ODI on 6th July, 2017 in Jamaica while chasing 206.

However, one is always in the learning phase and never *The know-it-all* or *The Perfect* and Virat has always continued to keep this thing in mind, neglecting the impact of rankings on his game & mindset, but at the same time, staying grounded and expressing gratitude for the achievements. He is always keen to explore, learn more and improve consistently without thinking of the results cause they automatically follow if the process is done rightly and the intention is to drive the team forward.
Let’s hear the man himself post he won all the 3 ICC awards in 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/icc/videos/363263704471608/?app=fbl

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Let us get to know some more about the families/partners of some of our favourite cricketers.

1) ROHIT SHARMA
The Telugu-Brahmin born and brought up in Mumbai married his manager and long-time girlfriend Ritika Sajdeh on 13th Dec 2015. Ritika is the cousin sister of Bunty Sajdeh, Virat Kohli’s sports manager. She is also the rakhi-sister of Yuvraj Singh. Rohit and Ritika have a 1.5 year old daughter Samaira Sharma born, too in December. Ritika lives with her mom, dad (Tina & Bobby Sajdeh) and brother Kunal Sajdeh in their flat in Mumbai whenever Rohit is out on tours. Rohit is often seen vacationing with Ritika and his in-laws in Maldives, the couple’s favourite holiday destination. Rohit’s parents too live in Mumbai with his brother and sister-in-law. Rohika are often seen campaigning for the ocean and marine animals. Ritika often accompanies Rohit on tours infact, she even took 3 months old Samaira to IPL matches in 2019 and guess what, Mumbai Indians claimed their 3rd IPL title that year.

2) SHIKHAR DHAWAN
Shikhar married Aesha Dhawan whom he met through Facebook in 2012. Aesha was a single mother of two lovely daughters Aliyah & Rhea and lived in Australia back then.
The couple gave birth to their boy Zoravar Dhawan in 2014.
Aesha used to live with her kids in Australia during Shikhar’s overseas tours. Presently, her daughters are staying with her parents in Australia while she is with Zoravar & Shikhar in Delhi. Shikhar is a very kind and modest family man who loves everything about being Punjabi, quite evident from his choice of music,food etc
  Aesha is an active spokesperson as far as feminist movements and parental counselling are concerned. She is friends with many WAGs. She has her own YouTube channel and also a platform for advising about being the right parents on Instagram.

3) BHUVANESHVAR KUMAR
Bhuvi married his childhood sweetheart Nupur Nagar in late 2017. Bhuvi and Nupur were neighbours in Meerut. They were very good friends. At that time and even during their teenage years, Nupur never actually knew or understood the seriousness of the sport as a career, as she felt that he was just playing. Though Bhuvi used to like her. Years later, they found each other on Facebook (another instance of social media uniting hearts). They met, went on several dates and made it official though not public. Months before their wedding, Bhuvi took to Instagram to introduce his lady love to the world. Nupur is also seen at many matches and is friends with other WAGs. She has an impeccable love for dogs but is always irked at Bhuvi’s cleanliness-related habits.
They shared these inside details on Spicy Pitch Episode 6 by Cricbuzz. Checkout- https://youtu.be/1PqFy8OrfZE

4) HARDIK PANDYA
Hardik lives with his Mom, Dad, Brother (Krunal Pandya), sister-in-law (Pankhuri Sharma Pandya) and now also his fiancée (Natasa Stankovic). The couple recently announced their pregnancy and took internet by the storm. Before committing, Hardik had been linked with several other anonymous women from the industry. He himself spilled the beans, maybe a lot of them, in a Koffee with Karan episode. Anyway, he’s a gem of a person at heart who has truly worked hard to reach here. There was a time when he could just afford to eat a 10 Rs Maggi packet each day. Wishing Hardik all the very best for embarking upon this parental journey.