Veteran Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has advised athletes in the country to hold unwavering faith in their aspirations and exert relentless effort to turn them into reality.
"If I can offer any assistance, I would like to convey to all the athletes and individuals in attendance that with unwavering belief, you have the power to accomplish anything. I embrace that motto and experience that sentiment every single day of my existence, which allows me to pursue limitless achievements. You, too, can experience the same transformative power."
"If you ponder the idea and persuade yourself that you can accomplish it," Kohli expressed during the concluding event of the 49th All India Central Revenue Sports Meet 2016-17 in suburban Goregaon.
Kohli also commended the accomplishments of women wrestlers Babita and Geeta Phogat.
"I recently watched the story of the two sisters, and it truly touched my heart. Out of the six sisters, Babita and Geeta, you both stood out in that movie. You are truly great achievers for our nation," Kohli expressed.
Kohli has achieved an impressive feat by scoring four double-hundreds in four consecutive series, with his most recent one against Bangladesh in Hyderabad.
"In life and sport, continue to elevate the nation and consistently make us all proud, just as you have been doing. I will certainly do my utmost to emulate your example and do the same," expressed the accomplished batsman.
Tips for Aspiring Cricketers From Riyan Parag, Kl Rahul and Smriti Mandhana
"One valuable suggestion is to set ambitious goals. This has been a guiding principle for me ever since I began playing cricket."
Riyan Parag emphasises the importance of aspiring for greatness and reaching the highest level by dreaming big.
"The most valuable guidance I've ever been given is: "Cricket is an incredibly straightforward sport. The more you simplify it, the greater the rewards the game will bestow upon you. I have constantly reminded myself of this," states KL Rahul.
In 2016, he received this valuable advice from none other than AB de Villiers, which he still vividly recalls. Rahul had managed to achieve a handful of half-centuries, but unfortunately, he was unable to close out games consistently. As he pondered the matter incessantly, AB advised him to refrain from getting anxious or fixating on statistics. AB emphasised that by embracing simplicity, one can attract positive outcomes. KL Rahul demonstrated his ability to block out distractions and delivered an exceptional performance during the 2019-20 season. His outstanding achievements were further highlighted by his victory in securing the orange cap in 2020.
Smriti Mandhana firmly believes that the level of dedication and commitment she puts into her training sessions directly reflects in her performance during matches.
"It's crucial to find pleasure in the journey. These could encompass various types of sessions - workouts at the gym, jogging sessions and practice sessions for batting. If I find joy in those sessions, it reflects in the form of favourable outcomes in a match. Whenever I engage in a session that I need more enthusiasm for, it is always considered an incomplete session." According to Smriti Mandhana, the crucial factor is to have a great time and put in maximum effort during those sessions.
"Dedication and effort are crucial. Because I firmly believe that nothing can replace the value of diligent effort. According to Riyan, who was a member of the India squad that emerged victorious in the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, while talent and skill can propel you to a certain level, to perform at a higher level consistently, it is crucial to be the most diligent worker in the room every single day."
It’s Important to Think about the Punch Ahead of Time
Smriti cautions against premeditating your shots prior to the ball being released by the bowler.
"As a batter, it's crucial to keep things simple and not overthink. Go out there, maintain a straightforward approach, focus on the ball, and adapt your gameplay accordingly. I believe that the art of batting is all about being responsive; one must respond to whatever the bowler delivers. When you overcomplicate things by formulating strategies for a shot prior to encountering the ball, it becomes more challenging. Just respond to the deliveries from the bowler," advises Smriti.
"I believe it's crucial to have faith in oneself, as cricket is a sport where failure is more common than success. Whenever you encounter setbacks, face scepticism from others, or feel lost along the way, the key is to maintain unwavering self-belief in your abilities. Riyan encourages you to have faith in the immense effort you have dedicated to the game. Trust in your ability to reach the pinnacle of success and maintain a consistent performance at that level."