Beyond the Boundary: How Cricket Teaches Us More Than Just a Game

Discover the 7 game-changing lessons that cricket taught me about life - from finding joy in success to staying present in the moment. Learn how this beloved sport has the power to unite the world and transform your perspective on success and failure. Read on to find out why cricket is more than just a game, it's a way of life.

?? As an Indian, former state player, and a die-hard fan, I've spent the better half of the last 2 decades of my life falling more and more in love with the game of cricket ??. So much has changed all around me over these 20 years, but the love for the game never went away. I’ve watched thousands of cricket matches on TV ?? and played so much cricket right from the parking lot in my house ?? to the academy cricket grounds across different parts of my country ??.

A game indeed does teach way more than thousands of hours of school ??. Without even consciously trying to learn from the game, a major part of who I am today is shaped by all that the game taught me. So it was only fair that I scribble down and share with the world my 7 most important takeaways from this game ??. A game that means way more than just a game for billions around the world ??.

?? Joy: There are not many better feelings in the world for a batsman than the joy of going for a shot and connecting the ball with the middle of the bat and then watching the ball race away toward the boundary ??. The rush of endorphins is not just when you are out there playing. Almost all of India celebrates Bumrah taking a wicket, Rohit hitting a six, India winning a world cup believing that the 11 men in blue and the Indian cricket team are as much theirs, as is the captain’s ????.

?? Understanding of who I am: Cricket is a tough game to play. So to perform well, you always have to play and understand who you are as a person. I've learned from watching players like Chris Gayle and Rashid Khan that staying true to yourself is invaluable and can single-handedly win games for your team ??.

?? Zero tolerance for the wrong: The game has no space for any grey. There are many examples of players, teams, and even entire leagues getting suspended and banned because they didn’t abide by the laws of the game. Be it corruption, ball tampering, or even merely not reporting an approach by a bookie, these have all resulted in some of the biggest names, teams, and leagues in the game being taken away from cricket ?? ♂?.

?? Failure teaches so much more than success: When you or your team fall short, your brain goes into autopsy mode. You play the game backward and forwards and you realize where you or your team fell short. You identify gaps in skill levels and train to bridge them, so you’re up for the challenge and end up not making the same mistakes the next time ??.

?? Attitude & Mentality is 80%: Once you build a solid foundation of the basics of the game, your performances are always a result of what your inner dialogue is. Legends of the game keep reiterating this time and again. With the right attitude and mentality, there is always light at the end of the tunnel ??.

?? ♀? Staying present: In a world where we are constantly distracted and pulled in different directions, staying present at the moment can be a challenge. It's easy to get lost in thoughts about the past or future, but in sports, being present is crucial. As a cricketer, if you're thinking about anything other than the next ball, you're taking away valuable energy and focus from the game.

Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist once said, "The next ball is the most important one of your life." This statement emphasizes the importance of staying present and focusing on the task at hand. Whether you're facing a fast bowler or trying to hit a six, staying present and at the moment can make all the difference.

?? A game can unite the world: Cricket has a unique ability to bring people together and unite them in a shared love of the game. India versus Pakistan match in the 2015 World Cup was watched by over one billion people, one-seventh of the world's population. On that day, people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe came together to cheer for their respective teams.

The game of cricket has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together, regardless of their differences. As Indian cricketer MS Dhoni once said, "You don't play for the crowd, you play for the country." This sentiment rings true not only for cricket players but for people from all walks of life. When we come together and focus on our commonalities, we can achieve great things and make the world a better place.

So, whether you're a cricket fan or not, these lessons from the game can be applied to many aspects of life. Cricket is more than just a game, it's a way of life ??.