When 36 all out ……

1s test match, last ball of India’s inning, 9 wickets are already down on 36 runs, the fear was visible on India’s batsman’s face and on the other end, Australian bowler was running ferociously to clinch the last string of India’s worst disaster in the history. The dressing room was numb, the roaring captain was stunned, other players were hiding in shame, and the viewers were devastated. That last ball did not only break India’s batsman’s hand, but it also broke millions of hearts across the globe.

Still, three more matches were remaining, but there was absolutely no match between team which had world’s most experienced players at their home condition, with the team which was down with their main bowlers due to injuries, and their only hope their captain was also leaving. They were clearly written off and the only thing was remained to be amused that how many days the remaining test matches would last.

But then miracle started, they won the next, they equated the third, they conquered the fourth, and then history was again created. This unbelievable story of dust to glory of India Cricket test team was written in just one month, and to achieve this undreamt dream, it took only a leader and a team. It astonished whole cricket experts and lovers to see how amateur players, an unsettled team and broken individuals rose and defeated the almighty of cricket in their backyard. This is a true example of how a good leader and a spirited team can achieve much more than what you can expect, how success is not as difficult as it sometime looks and how your goals are always achieved irrespective of circumstances as long as you don’t give up.

The success story of Indian team in Australia teaches us so many lessons of leadership and team spirit. It is said, “A leader is as good as his team is” but at the same time, “A team is as good as its leader is”. In this case, a team was shattered and weaken, but the leader made them united and strengthen to accomplish something which was unimaginable by any individual or team when they started. While team was getting injuries and bruises one after another, a history chapter was being added page by page, and lessons of a true leadership and team spirit were learned step by step.

Empower Experience

Pujara, who was considered a wall in Indian test team, who was instrumental in India’s victory in last tour to Australia and many more before. Somehow, he was looking disenchanted with his game and team. The doubts were aspersed about his run getting ability. A rock-solid defense was being pierced in every ball he was being attacked. But when the series was concluded, he was the one who faced maximum balls from Australian bowlers. Though, he had lowest strike rate but added maximum frustration to opposition team. His disenchantment turned in to determinization, as they were attacking his bodyline, he became skeleton of the team.

Ashwin, one the India’s smartest and experienced spin bowler, who had taken maximum wickets in current Indian team, he was looking sluggish. He was unsettled from every form of the game and his place in test was also shown as mercy. But in this series, he turned the table, he made sure that he dislodged crucial wickets of opposition and led India’s attack from the front. He not only bowled maximum balls but faced them too.

These experiences were empowered and believed. It is very important to make sure your experienced team members are aligned with you. At the end of the day, any good leader will have maximum one experience of his own, but if you take along all the experiences of your team then your leadership is multiplied, and the result would always be enlarged.

Trust Talent

Pant, a 19 years young talent who was chosen to replace a legend of Indian cricket team. Ever since, he was called to induct into word cup squad, he was scrutinized, he was punished, and he was intimidated. In the process of being picked and dropped, being advised and questioned, the only two things he got was poor short selections and low confidence.

He was promoted, he was commanded to play the way he wanted to play, he was insured that no questions were asked in the innings when he failed or the catches he dropped and he was given confidence to be what he is. The talent was trusted and then it flourished. Same young man who started throwing his wicket like a hot potato, stayed till the end, ensured team was victorious and every shot he played was well calibrated.

It is very important to respect and trust your talents in your team. Without talents, your might have a team but extraordinary success is only achieved by extraordinary talents. Shape them, give them enough space to feel comfortable, let them make mistakes, they will learn from it and one day they would be asset for your team.

Inspire Inexperience

Siraj, who did not have any experience of test match when he started but at the end of the game, he was the one who was leading India’s attack. The inspiration given to him was so thrilling that he chose his team above everything in his life. He missed his father’s last rites to make sure India’s bowling riot is still good enough to crumble Australian’s batting castle.

Washington, nobody knew whether he was a good bowler or a batsman. But he surpassed everyone’s expectations. Though, he was most inexperienced one, but most inspired too. Even at the last hour when India was at the verge of victory and he lost his wicket, he looked so disappointed and was not willing to leave the crease. And trust me, it was not for his own achievement, but only for the team and the leader who he was inspired for.

Inspirations create magic. You must constantly inspire your team, most importantly to the ones who do not have any experience of success or achievement. They need to find their goals and have a dream what they have never lived.

Support Shaken

Vihari, he was part of the test team for quite some time. He was asked to open, he was asked to play at number 4, number 5, number 6, and even he bowled. He looked vulnerable with every deed he had been trying in the team. He scored zeroes, dropped catches, got injured, and he was shaken. At his low, he was given full support, and then he surprised everyone. He stood for his team on one leg, with broken hamstring he made sure that he would only draw when his team got it.

Being supporting is a key skill not only for a leader but for a human being. You need to have human touch in your leadership. You give them support when they are shaken and then, they would surprise you with their commitment whenever you would need them.

Lead, & be Led

Being a good leader, we always obliged to set an example, we feel like motivating your team all the time, we constantly stressed on commitment and goals, and we feel like a leader in every walks of team’s journey. Sometimes it is very important to sit back and become a normal member of the team, let the team lead you. Being led is also a sign of a great leader.

When India’s combined bowling strength was 13 wickets against 1,031 wickets of Australia’s, it was Bumrah who guiding the bowlers even if he was of the field. It was spectacular when Siraj was leaving the ground with 5 wickets haul, Bumrah was standing at the line to hug him. It was difficult to separate the emotions from them to identify who was the achiever there. Bumrah was made leader of the pack.

When you are 36 all out, nobody would believe you, nobody would count on you, but you have to believe in yourself and count on your team, that you can still bounce back and achieve your goals. A leader’s character is not determined by how high he can achieve, but how much he can lift his team when they are hitting at low. Then only a Jadeja would come, he would make sure his plastered broken thump fits in to his glove, he would take pain injections and he would be ready to face roaring attack. He would do it, and he would do it only for a true leader and for a spirited team.