The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has explained the reason why the current generation of Indian cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya plays a fearless brand of cricket, saying the exposure to various facets of life makes them extremely fearless on the field.
Ganguly, who himself is regarded as one of the most aggressive captains India has ever had, further said that the current Indian players look so “ready” both mentally and skill-wise to take on the world even before some of them have stepped out on the international arena and that comes with exposure.
During a conversation with Hero Vired Founder and CEO Akshay Munjal in a YouTube live show titled 'You The Future', Ganguly said: “I think for the modern-day generation exposure has been enormous. It helps them to become fearless because they realize that things are available at their doorsteps. And if they make an effort and are desperate to succeed, they will be successful. So they're fearless.”
Citing the example of Pant and Pandya, former India captain said: “You look at this current Indian cricket team. The likes of Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and some of the young fast bowlers who have come at this level, you just see that when they walk out into the International arena, they're ready. They're not just ready skill-wise, but they're ready mentally also which is very very important.”
On being asked about his success mantra as a leader, Ganguly said: “A lot of us fall into the prey of letting things drift as they say in sport, but a good administrator, a good leader takes decisions on the spot. With every day you learn, you adapt.”
The BCCI President further added, “It's the same thing with administration, you adjust, you learn, you share, and most importantly, you require the ability to take decisions because decision-making is important. It may not be right all the time. But if you have faith, and if you believe that you're capable of doing things, the majority of your decisions will be right.”
Ganguly, who retired from international cricket in 2008, said he missed the “7'o clock nervousness” when he used to wake up and get ready for a Test match, saying nervousness sometimes helps the players become a better cricketer and bring out the best.
Recalling his playing days, he noted, “I miss that nervousness in the morning at 7 o'clock. When I used to wake up and get ready, wearing my track bottoms, shoes to play a Test match...I was under pressure to perform. I knew I cannot afford to fail as if I performed well, by evening 4.30, I'll be a hero to all the people in the country. So I miss that challenge, miss that pressure, the expectation every morning.”
He signed off by saying, “I think that is something which every individual should learn to embrace. Nervousness is good, it actually helps you to become better, play better, so accept nervousness before a game and utilize it positively to help you increase your performance.”
(With PTI Inputs)
