Rohit Sharma and his boys have had an incredible run at the ICC World Cup 2023, with a 10–0 win streak (a perfect 10/10!). Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, the Men in Blue have proven they are true champions in body, mind and spirit. What a change from 2019! It is the same team almost, with some minor changes. But what’s different this time?
The Journey — The team has shown character, resilience, and determination. They’ve been able to keep a winning mindset throughout, and that has helped them through the difficult patches in the tournament.
‘victory is as much in the race run as in the trophy won.’
The Destination — There would be nothing like winning the coveted crown. The destination is important, the icing on the cake. But let’s not obsess over the destination so much that we forget to enjoy the journey. The Indian team also seems to be savoring the journey this time. And that has made all the difference.
The Community — This is one of the most important factors. It takes an ecosystem to succeed — in sports, business, or other organized activity. A supportive culture in the dressing room is perhaps this team’s most defining and distinctive feature.
Merit-based Selection, Performance-based retention — Politics figures in every arena, including cricket. The playing 11 have been selected on individual merit. And the results are clear for all to see. Every player on this team has proved why they were selected. Muhammad Shami stands vindicated, while the best spinner is waiting for his chance. Focus on merit also means we have an equally exceptional bench strength and a pipeline that will sustain us for the next ten years at least.
This may still be our best chance to win with so many great players peaking.
While Iyer to Virat have got long ropes to re-discover their form, all players have delivered. No ‘passengers’ at all.
When every member of your team starts performing, the team will be unbeatable.
Strong leadership — Delivering results finally boils down to good leadership. Rohit Sharma has demonstrated great leadership during the World Cup, from the calmness of MSD to the astuteness of Ganguly.
As a player, he has shown that experience matters. Rohit’s aggressiveness at the start of every inning has given the platform for other players to build their innings. In fact, his faith in other players gives him the freedom to adopt an aggressive approach. Another quality that stands out is his calmness. Rohit Sharma has played the Inner Game beautifully. His whole captaincy has been very intuitive (Self 2 — Inner Game).
Performance to Potential: If there’s one area our team could still “improve” upon, It would be being purpose-driven!
Inspirational Purpose — “The Indian team had set itself a special challenge to achieve even before they embarked on their campaign in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023….”We really wanted to put our best foot forward and give a really good display. And I think the boys have responded and done really well,” Rahul Dravid, India Coach.
Beyond Personal Milestones: We often hear, “We are after all human.” We tend to get distracted by individual milestones even while playing for the team.
The solution at a higher level or state of mind is to develop a Purpose greater than oneself. Master calls it #I2We2He.
1. Look beyond I/me/mine (selfish)
2. Team/country/fans, even The Game, better. (less selfish)
3. #Play4Purpose instead. For the Divine. The Higher Consciousness in each one of us. (Selfless).
That makes us truly Human, the most evolved species on the planet! (‘जन्तुनं नरजन्म दुर्लभतः।’)
Reflections — Leadership, Coaching:
There’s something from this for all of us in the corporate space. You may have a Virat Kohli, Muhammad Shami, or Maxwell. But they can thrive only in a supportive ecosystem where importance is given as much to the journey (with its ups and downs, accepting downs as opportunities for learning) as to the destination, all revolving around a higher inspirational purpose.
A coaching culture, a coaching leader, or a coach can make all the difference.
What makes our Men in Blue True Champions, regardless of what happens on Sunday?
The journey, the destination, the company- a beautiful confluence of all the three.
Best wishes to the entire ecosystem of the Indian cricket team for the Sunday finals!
