Rahul Dravid is a man of steely resolve — and, a quiet achiever. He’s to cricket what Kalidasa, or Saint Thyagaraja, is to Indian art. A classical practitioner with the humane soul and a master composer with a sequence of divine melodies, Dravid was the game’s ‘Methuselah’ in terms of sheer intensity, skill, consistency, vision, values, and courage.
Dravid was a great success story, because he was able to meditate his entire thought process upon the idea of staying at the wicket, coming to grips with it — and, the opponent — not to speak of its pace, bounce, and sundry, every time he walked in to bat. He was able to deliberate by making use of all his constructive thoughts, and shutting out destructive, or negative, feelings that don’t do anyone good. This was part of his cricketing wisdom. Inference: Dravid, in the course of action with his sublime willow, sure proved an ancient axiom right — the greatest would accomplish nothing if they were focus-deficient.
Like all of us — well, almost — Dravid also knew well that in order to accomplish something great, or a certain thing, one must be alert. He had, in a mode born, learned to muse. He also attached the utmost importance on how best he’d learn by holding his nerve in a given situation. He kept his eye on the ball, along with his own transcendent, or deft symphonies of the bat, as it made contact with the ball, juxtaposed by an unyielding psyche that did not vacillate. Not that Dravid was fool proof. He’s fallible — because, he’s human. But, what made him stand apart were his steely determination and the resolve to being what he could do best; not what others wanted him to be, or do.
In addition, Dravid never ever got discouraged. If he’s unable to hold his thoughts on the game for long, he kept his cool, and relaxed. In so doing, he was able to bring his levels of concentration on to a plane that was good for him rather than just something that was beneficial. The more relaxed you are the better — because, when one tries to accomplish it, in the manner Dravid did, the tendency of slipping down into the rut is overcome.
It goes without saying that Dravid practiced concentration exercises every moment, without getting bored with them. He may not have always done it consciously; but, what he did was something that was constant. Constancy in thought and deed, as you’d well know, is what makes us develop that wonderful power of being in the midst of things you wish to do, or accomplish.
Dravid’s triumph was assured because he was able to think only on what would be most advantageous for his style and strength in the game — not what was not. In the process, he was not selfish. He was a perfect team-man and he always played for the team — not for personal glory, though his individualistic brilliance won him great adulation, an enviable string of records and consistent percentage points.
A traditional batsman, Dravid blended Oriental wisdom with Occidental professionalism. Ironically though, Dravid was a reluctant champion — almost an unsung hero, but a legend no less. The reason is simple. Dravid channelled his thought, or concentrated belief in the finer mechanics of his cricketing life. This gave him the lead to search for what philosophers call the ‘white stone.’ The result, therefore, has been far-reaching and replete with all its all-abiding effects.
Dravid also trained the hard way — and, he never gave up even when he found the going difficult. He proved — and, continued to establish — that a great work of art with the cricket bat can be accomplished if only one was awakened with a purpose each day to do one’s best. It is a simple premise — the greatest individual would not accomplish much if they lacked concentration and effort. One can only emulate the work of giants when one makes oneself energised by the magical power of mental concentration. This was the secret of Dravid’s mantra — a mantra which he only knew to chant best.
Dravid was also the peerless epitome of concentration and technique — his two main strengths. Strengths that were apparently best suited for him to find a place under the sun. This made impossibilities possible for him — the art of his work and his life. His real achievements and advancement, in the bargain, emerged by way of his own enormous individual effort. What’s more, he stimulated and inspired his own finely-chorded instrument, the willow, by bringing a host of melodies into perfect harmony in tune with the laws of success and fulfilment — all of this with a firm grip on his batting duties and responsibilities.
Dravid had a far better overseas record, quite unique to an Indian batsman — the hallmark of a great cricketer. He brought a sense of sincerity and humility to the game; and, from being a ‘stonewaller,’ he emerged as an intelligent finisher in either version [Test and one-day format] of the game.
Dravid’s epoch-making knock, to pluck a classical example, at Kolkata, with V V S Laxman that stunned Aussie tenacity, or his great double tons in Pakistan and Australia, were great examples of his revolutionary mental bearings. What made them prominent was the manner in which they stand out with their innate beauty and charm and by way of execution and skilled workmanship. This was his exemplary greatness.
Also, if Dravid’s pure elegance gave the drive a new benchmark, so were his lusty pull shots. They were astounding — in their own different ways. That he was the worthy winner of a brace of ICC Awards — besides being the epoch-making Indian batsman who scored centuries in and against all Test-playing countries is apparent. Dravid was also a master strategist. He won credit for India as captain through dazzling victories against Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies in the Caribbean — the first-series win, post-1970-71.
Here’s why Dravid’s cricket was something out of the commonplace — something that they don’t teach you in coaching schools, or manuals.
Awareness, the key. Dravid made his mind hold on to his inner vision, the purpose to advance. He never gave room for that common human dilemma — negative thought that sometimes holds one back, even if one wishes to move ahead. He also made the best use of opportunities that came his way. This was his wonderful, encouraging tonic. He always willed to put forth the necessary effort, and success was his for the taking, not just asking.
This was not all. He’s a man who was best prepared to do things his own way. He designated to manage himself; this was his greatest asset, because he did not possess any more talent than Sachin Tendulkar. What he did possess was something that others did not have. His amazing power of focused thought — it was the ‘genius’ behind his fabulous resolution to succeed in a demanding game where only a select few thrive to reach the highest level, and so many fall short.
Self-mastery and self-direction. Just a handful of players possess the power to concentrate like Dravid. For him concentration was strength of mind, self-mastery and self-direction — elements that made the will and intellect act in unison. It was precisely this Dravid-designed trait that constantly helped him to hold on to his strong faculties.
The power of concentration. The gaffe often made by most that do not understand the power of mental attraction is how not to get what they want. The secret of getting what you want is focused attention and determination for what gives the “Power to him who exerts power.” Dravid was one immaculate revelation of this outlook; and, this made him a veritable knight in shining armour.
Silent force, focused results. In all his cricketing endeavours — the power of thought greatly increased Dravid’s intensity. His face reflected his inner calm and awakened possibilities within. Dravid inspired confidence in him and others in the team. He espoused the values of concentrating his thoughts on to others, because one can revolutionise one’s own career and life, and also gain happiness greater than one could ever imagine. What’s more, Dravid linked his own sense of attentiveness to become the master of circumstance. He moulded his environment and derived what he wanted. He spread the thought seeds of action with solid steadfastness — of mind and matter.
Most important: he trained the will to do something he knew best. This led him to believe that everything was achievable. Dravid knew the inner mechanism of his own energy that controlled all his conscious acts. He became a mastermind — a mighty force at his own disposal. He made his own rules, based on the spirit of sport — a fortitude that helped him ‘shape’ his own destiny. His impeccable character sure sculpted his victories; but, at the same time, Dravid never undermined the importance of continuously learning to use his own will, while augmenting his vast potential.
Dravid’s attitude of the mind was also related to his wonderful power of intense mental demand — to accomplish something. One thing at a time, without predetermined solutions — in other words, the silent force of wonderful control within him helped him make plans work. This also gave him the motivating power to supply the energies necessary for achievement during a long day’s work on and off the field.
Most imperative: Dravid’s attentiveness gave him the mental poise, the power of habit to be consistent. In so doing, he attracted sublime ideas contemplated by our ancient seers; this broadened his vision. For Dravid, meditation was valour personified — and, as Socrates said, “Courage is intelligent endurance.” So much so, he was never afraid of rebuff — more so, because he’s not afraid of failure.
He was, quite simply, a remarkable man who never got tired — mentally and physically. And, cricket, as you know, is a mental game — a battle of wits, so to speak.
Dravid’s desire to do his best implied his ability to do everything in full measure. There was just no half-way house for him. This explains why he developed his own mode of cerebral power through creation — with an inventor’s vision. He also generated enthusiasm and a passionate will to develop all along the way — no matter the number of runs and records he had already deposited in his star-studded cricketing bank account and was destined to accumulate in the future.
To his credit, Dravid made his ability of plenty accountable — his own driving force within. This was his true greatness, because there’s nothing better that can define greatness in all its true power and glory.
— First published in Cricket Today
[Rahul Dravid, Photo, Courtesy: Sportfolio]
