STUPID, STUPID, STUPID! What Cricket Taught Me About Leadership
Balakrishnan Pillai
Business Leader | Growth Architect | Transformational Leader | Change Catalyst
If you grew up in the 90s, cricket wasn’t a game—it was a moral compass. Tendulkar’s straight drives were sermons on precision, and every loss to Australia? A stab in the heart (2003 World Cup, anyone?). Cricket didn’t just play on TV; it played in our souls.
So, when I hit a creative block writing this article, cricket, as always, came to the rescue. This time, it wasn’t Tendulkar or Kohli, it was Rishabh Pant. And a shot so outrageous it made Sunil Gavaskar channel every exasperated boss ever: “STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!”
The Scoop Heard Around the World
Picture this: Melbourne, fourth Test. Pant, our fearless maverick, twists himself into a jalebi to scoop a fast bowler over fine leg. For a moment, it feels like magic is about to unfold.
Spoiler alert: It doesn’t. Instead, the ball floats straight into third man’s hands. You could almost hear the collective groan of a billion fans.
Cue Gavaskar: “STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!” His words cut through the commentary box like a dad finding his kid’s report card Harsha Bhogle’s face? Equal parts “Ouch!” and “Did he just say that?”
Back in the dressing room, you can almost hear Gambhir muttering, “No more risks. Basics only!”
Sydney: The Aftermath
Today’s game, Sydney. Pant shows up, but he’s… different. The fearless batter who could destroy a bowling attack in a session? Gone. Instead, he played like someone worried about the next performance review. Sure, he top-scored, but it was safe. Forgettable. Like plain toast.
And that’s when it hit me: This wasn’t just cricket; it was life. The exact moment when someone takes a bold shot, misses, and gets buried under “What were you thinking?!” What comes next? Safe moves. Careful choices. And a spark that quietly fades away.
We’ve All Been Pant
Let’s be real; we’ve all been there. You take a big swing, it doesn’t land, and suddenly everyone’s channeling their inner Gavaskar yelling, “STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!”
So, what do we do? We stop swinging. We block every ball, stick to the script, and quietly hope no one notices. It’s safe. It’s boring. And it absolutely kills what makes us “US”.
Why Boldness Feels Scary
Backing boldness sounds great until you’re the one explaining why it failed. What if it costs the team? What if the boss doesn’t get it? What if you look like an idiot?
I get it. Skepticism is real. But here’s the twist: Boldness doesn’t die because of failure. It dies because of fear-fear of how failure is handled.
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When Boldness Works (and doesn’t)
Take Michael Jordan. He missed over 300 game-winning shots. Imagine if Phil Jackson or any of his other coaches had said, “Okay, no more big shots for you.” No six championships, no legend.
Or Ratan Tata’s Nano. It didn’t set the market on fire, but it changed the way people thought about affordable engineering. Boldness isn’t about blind risk; it’s about trying, learning, and tweaking.
Even Bazball, England’s wild cricket strategy, gets this. Their motto? “Chase 350? Cool. Collapse for 150? Also cool.” Their coach & Captain don’t panic after failures they double down on trust, (cue any post-match presser after a loss) That’s how boldness survives.
What Happens When It Fails Repeatedly?
But what if boldness keeps flopping? That’s where leadership comes in. It’s not about clapping for every wild swing. It’s about saying: “Alright, that didn’t work. What did we learn? Let’s fix it.”
Imagine if, after Melbourne, Gambhir had said: “Tough luck. You’ve got guts—that’s why you’re here. Let’s figure out how to make that shot work.” Would Sydney have been different? Maybe. But at least he wouldn’t have played scared.
So, What’s the Real Lesson?
Here’s what I’ve learned: Boldness is messy. It’s frustrating. It sometimes makes you want to yell “STUPID!” But without it, there’s no magic. No breakthroughs.
Backing boldness or Being Bold isn’t about celebrating chaos. It’s about creating a space where people know they’ll be supported even when they miss. Where they feel free to take big swings and keep swinging.
Final Over: Gavaskar or “What’s Next?”
So, the next time someone takes a wild shot—whether it’s on the cricket field, in the office, or in life; ask yourself: Are you the Gavaskar yelling “STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!” or the one saying, “What’s next?”
And when it’s your turn to take that wild shot, remember this: The world doesn’t change because of hesitation. It changes because of boldness whether you’re the one swinging big or the one daring to back it.
Because let’s be clear: The world doesn’t remember the cautious. It remembers the bold.
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Data Science with Python, Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Business Analyst, Lean Guide
1 个月There is no guarantee to success, so you need to take your chances and express yourself. Hence in cricket and in life I would say you need to take calculated risk…and that’s the fine line you need to walk in life and cricket as well. Sachin ( GOAT ) he did play with aggression, took on the bowlers but most often it worked because he played according to the situation, awareness and composure to succeed in all situation., waited for the right time to take on the bowlers, Just going out and doing your own stuff in the name of boldness without caring about the situation or result not taking ownership or responsibility is immaturity. So learning from experiences and handling the situation is part of the process of growing…if you continue to do the same mistakes then it’s stupidity.
B2B Sales | Specifications | Ex Steelcase, Hafele.
1 个月Interesting read Balakrishnan!
Building Isler India | 2X founder | Ex-Accenture Strategy & Consulting | Ex-LG Electronics | Lifelong Student
1 个月This is an absolute gem, Balakrishnan Pillai—hitting it straight out of the park again! You’ve nailed the essence of leadership through cricket’s lens, blending boldness, failure, and resilience with such clarity. It reminds me of a team project I worked on where a bold idea bombed spectacularly. The immediate reaction from leadership? “STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!”—just like Gavaskar. The aftermath was predictable: cautious execution, dwindling creativity, and a team that played it safe. But when we reframed failure as a learning opportunity, the magic returned. One of those “wild shots” went on to redefine our strategy and deliver unprecedented results. Your call to back boldness instead of stifling it is such a powerful reminder. Can’t wait for the rest of articles in this brilliant series!?
Academician, Author, Trainer and Consultant
1 个月A hero when it works and a zero when it fails—that's the way the world often measures risk-takers. But what truly sets apart the audacious is their unshakable self-belief. Consider Michael Jordan’s words, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Time and again, we’ve seen athletes like him face the agony of defeat, endure ridicule, and yet rise to craft moments of brilliance. When the world is quick to mock, dismiss, or blame, the courageous dare to trust their instincts and deliver wonders that leave others in awe. “Audentes fortuna iuvat” (Fortune favors the bold) aptly encapsulates this spirit. And I don’t know whether design or default this article so very well encapsulates the spirit of the number 5. The number five, symbolizing adventure in many cultures, embodies this ethos—dynamic, daring, and unpredictable. It’s a wonderfullly penned article that doesn’t just inspire but resonates deeply with anyone who knows the thrill of risking it all. Congratulations on delivering a piece so timeless and impactful.
Seasoned Sales Professional | Certified Nutrition & Fitness Consultant | Certified Scuba Diver
1 个月“Boldness doesn’t die because of failure. It dies because of fear-fear of how failure is handled” This got stuck with me and sure will stay for a long time… loved this one Reminds me of a Quote: “Fear delivers Acceptable results while celebrating failures delivers Exceptional results”