Dare 2 Dream

"One Has To Be Fair Because You Cannot Cheat The Game"… SS Das

2012-01-17T03:48:00.000-08:00

“I believe statistics do not always tell the real story. I had no business getting out for 59 after we were 91 for no loss at lunch on the first day of the final Test. My wicket put pressure on the middle-order and we disintegrated. Had I not jumped out to Muralidharan, the story could have been different. That was one of the worst strokes I have played in my life.” Said by one the most talented and hard working and sincere cricketer and the statement says and proves that he is by far the most honest Cricketer: Shiv Sundar Das.

Playing at the highest level is not always about talent. The Attitude and Approach makes a lot difference because all the players playing at the highest level has the almost equal amount of talent. And it is one thing to have talent and another to in cash that talent and improve upon it. Das definitely has done it quite successfully over the years.

Cricketers from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Madras and Bangalore have dominated the Indian cricket scene for a long time. This was the result of a very good infrastructure and cricket culture in these cities. Das comes from Orissa where having the adequate infrastructure was remote possibility but that did not deter him to do the work hard and perform at the highest level.

Das has been extremely successful and very consistent from his junior cricketing days and has contributed to the success and development of Orissa cricket. Though it was very difficult to digest that Das was not only stripped of his captaincy but was also dropped from the Orissa team in 2010. That’s a hard realty which a sportsman goes through. People have very short term memories; here is the man who did what no other player from Orissa ever did, when he scored 110 against Zimbabwe in his third test match in Nagpur. He was 1^st player from Orissa to score a Test Century. This was the comment from one of the officials from Orissa Cricket Association at that time. Orissa Cricket Association secretary Ashirbad Behra said Das's century will be "recorded forever in Orissa's cricket history.”It is a proud moment not only for the OCA but the entire cricket-loving people of Orissa," he said. Das is a true gentleman and one the great ambassador for the game; he will not hesitate to do his part when time comes for the development of cricket in Orissa and India at large. Current season Das is playing for Vidarbha Cricket Association for the season 2011-12.

In the year 2000 BCCI along with Cricket Australia started The Border-Gavaskar Scholarship Programme, under which three promising Indian cricketers would visit Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) in Brisbane every year. For information of my readers at present this programme is being stopped and reason given by the richest cricket board in India is lack of Sponsers. Well that is a different point of discussion altogether. Das was selected in 2000 for the first intake of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Shiv Sundar Das along with Mohammad Kaif, and Sridhran Sriram were the first batch of players to receive the scholarship. Other recipients include Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli. Abhimanyu Mithun, Punjab middle-order batsman Mandeep Singh and Madhya Pradesh's Harpreet Singh were the last players to receive the scholarship in 2010.

Being adjudged as one the best opening batsman it is very ironic that Das played his first Test in Nov 2000 and his last Test in May 2002. During this period he played 23 Tests with 40 innings and scored with an average of 38.91 which is not bad at all. Being an opener, Das also has to be extremely fit to bat immediately after fielding. I am sure we all remember the Kolkata Test against Australia when Laxman and Dravid did the impossible. In that particular match Harbhajan took a hat-trick and in one of the dismissals, a sharp catch in forward shot leg was taken by Das. Das considered among the best fieldsman in the closing areas and as well as in the out field.

S S Das Career Statistics

Batting and Fielding averages in Test and First Class Games

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	23	40	2	1326	110	34.89	3407	38.91	2	9	180	1	34	0
ODIs	4	4	1	39	30	13.00	77	50.64	0	0	2	1	0	0
First-class	172	285	15	10643	300*	39.41			24	50			158	0
List A	81	80	6	2421	133*	32.71			4	13			22	0
Twenty20	3	3	0	28	14	9.33	36	77.77	0	0	2	0	0	0

Good things come in small packets is the adage and it is apt in the case of Das. He is a batsman youngsters should try to emulate because he is in the conventional mould and very positive approach. From what little one has seen of Das, there is absolutely no doubt that the opener will serve the country for a long time to come as a player and as a coach in future. Further, Das is an example of working hard and being honest to oneself. The statement made by Das is an example of his candid approach to the Game. A lesson for all Sportsmen in the country and professionals too; We can have 100 of process in place but each individuals needs to do what is right at their end.

The current dismal performance of Indian Team so far in Australia is a testimonial that technique is very important in series Down Under. Das is still the answer to India's long search for a genuine Test opener, Shiv Sunder Das finds himself in a struggle to salvage a floundering career after making a promising debut against Zimbabwe. Das is determined to stage his comeback.

Looking eagerly for you “Buda” in Team India!

Until next time Keep Working Hard on your Dreams and Goals.

Be Inspired in 2012

2011-12-30T22:06:00.000-08:00

Inspiration can be derived from constant pursuit of excellence and happiness. You do not require reading or completing a Ph.D thesis to understand this. We all are blessed with incredible Power of Imagination and Reasoning which enabled us be evolved as Human Beings from our original state.

It is possible to be Happy and Joyful most of the time. You just have to look at little children and see their natural joy. You may say that little children are free and don't have anything to worry about, but you can be free too! In this particular blog, apart from wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2012, I will be sharing few stories which are inspiring for the very fact that we can relate to inspiration in our everyday work what we do.

In India and world at large the economy is going through a testing times and the need of the hour is “entrepreneur not managers”. I think entrepreneurs create the most positive culture in any society with their ability of creating products and companies by virtue of their inspired imagination. Along with their ability to allocate capital and their foresight that ultimately drives much of the company and the economy in larger context.

To emphasis the fact here is the first story in constant pursuit of excellence and happiness: K Dinesh; one of the founders of Infosys Technologies. He was a mail sorter in Railway Mail Service (RMS) in Bangalore. He then passed a competitive exam and moved to Department of Posts and Telegraph (then) as a Phone Inspector. He wasn’t happy doing that. He passed the Banking services Recruitment Board (BSRB) exam ad joined UCO Bank. Yet the hunger in him was insatiate. He applied for a job with Patni Computers in Pune, where N.R. Narayana Murthy was incidentally working. His persistence in getting out of a cushy government job and get into a sunrise industry apparently intrigued Murthy. When Murthy decided to set up Infosys, he invited Dinesh to be part of the founding team. And the Rest as they say is history.

According to me this is a classic case of entrepreneur who with his Daring, Dream and Determination changed his life and many others also. I choose this example for the fact that Mr. Dinesh reached a comfortable life as per definition of our traditional society during his time in UCO Bank and in Patni but still there was an urge to pursue for greater goals in life. We all become so complacent with our present comfort zone that we are scared or apprehended to take the step towards professional independence. Whenever we get chance we do criticize our present profile, company or status but do not do anything about it. Part of the reason is our social fabric also. In India we are very sacred of being a failure. We don’t take failure as the stepping stone of success. We always brand the particular person or institutions also in the bracket of being failure and nothing be done about that. Why? Few other questions which come up: So, is there any system which will help nurture entrepreneurship in our young? As parents are we brave enough to allow our children to pursue their dream irrespective of the result? As a society, how many of us encourage our children, younger nephews and cousins or friends to take risks in their lives? How many of us look with appreciation when someone comes up with an idea, however crazy it may be, and egg them to go on and implement it.

Answers are staring at our faces. Only thing is required that we acknowledge it, learn from and inspire ourselves first. I am not at all saying that we need to leave our jobs and take the plunge. But if we change way we look today then tomorrow we can change ourselves also.

Here is the 2^nd story: Captain Gopinath threw all conventional wisdom to the winds, took his army tent, pitched it in the middle of a barren field belonging to his family and became a farmer. People thought he was mad. With economy growing, he visualised that everyone can afford or should have access to cheap aviation facilities. Flying by air should be right of few only. And as we know, rest is again history to be told to everyone. However, his army upbringing and his sense of adventure enabled Captain Gopinath to discover new abilities inside him at every point.

Here you might try to rationalise that Army or Defence background helped him. The total strength of Defence Personals will run over few millions easily. How many of them start their enterprise during their serving days and how many will or have entered uncharted territory like Captain Gopinath. Let’s not take anything from the Man. He did what many of us will only dream of doing.

India is in need of its own bread of Richard Branson’s; Steve Jobs and Bill Gates to make India shinning in real sense. Don’t under estimate the importance of entrepreneurs. A successful economy and flourishing of entrepreneurs tend to go hand in hand. With India, one part of the equation is all but proved. But are entrepreneurs also flourishing in equal measure?

This New Year I wish that you able to express your Intelligence, Creativity and People Skills to bring about positive change in your life and others. I am wishing that you come with break through ideas for providing solutions for yourselves and others. And I wish you are able to network with people and institutions to Fuel Your Entrepreneurship and create Wealth and Prosperity for yourselves and others.

Through this New Year messages I am anticipating great times ahead for all of you and wish that your dreams and aspiration all come through.

Yes, I know for a New Year Wish is long but I thought this is the best time when all off us make our list of things to do in year. Hope you change few things after reading this. I am making mine…. :)

Till next time!

Happy Entrepreneurship in 2012

Any Given Sunday

2011-12-26T04:07:00.000-08:00

I am attaching a clip from the movie “Any Given Sunday” one of the classics of Alfredo James "Al" Pacino (born April 25, 1940) is an American film and stage actor and director. I have seen this movie many times and listened to this clip; actually I have lost count of the same.

In life, we all face challenges but how we react to it is more important than what is the outcome. We are always very obsessed with results. Whereas, I think we should be more concern with the process of what do we do than what is the outcome or result? I may be absolutely wrong; still I feel what we do actually shape our outcome. Our thoughts, attitude and approach make or break the game for us.

Thoughts or Imagination: nothing could ever have been achieved without a thought. Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation. It’s arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity; it is the power that enables us to empathies with humans whose experiences we have never shared.

Attitude: Attitude actually takes us to the distance which we to achieve than Ability or Skills. Attitude develops the hunger and desire to perform given whatever are the circumstances or the surroundings. I received one sms may be 6-7 years before and this msg will actually give you the clarity of what does Attitude is all about: Solider “Sir, we are surrounded by enemies. Officer in Command replied “Good! We don’t have to waste time in aiming. We can shoot in all direction”. Skills can be taught but not Attitude. Whether you have or you don’t.

Martina Navratilova has rightly said once that “what matters isn’t how well you play when you are playing on top of your form. What matters is how well you play when you are playing badly”.

Approach: Michel François Platini said in one his interviews:“The TEAM which wins the Soccer World Cup would be the TEAM that knows “How To Win”. The statement makes it very clear that how we approach situations actually defines the outcome. Winning is about finding the balance between being encouraging and being ruthless in your approach.

Every step is stepping stone for desired result. It’s about timing and that can improve by practice only. It is like playing a game of football or cricket; one-half a step too early or late you don’t make it; one-half second too fast so slow you don’t catch it.

And it is always about TEAM. Nothing can be achieved alone. You need to develop a Team Man spirit in all your endeavors. TEAM means Together We Achieve More. Either you Win as TEAM or lose as individuals.

So develop Sporting Spirit to achieve in Business or Life!

Till next time

Happy Sporting!

What Sports Has Taught Me

2011-12-20T23:00:00.000-08:00

The title “What Sports Has Taught Me” caught my attention while read the book “The Winning Way” written by Harsha and Anita Bhogle. A Wonderful book, learning’s inspired from Sports and their implication in Corporations. The book talks about What Champions do, What makes winning teams, Who is a good leader, Why do only some teams keep winning while others win only for a while and then lose…..etc. Well this is not a promotion of the book, the book has lot of relevant points which on reading inspired me to change my LinkedIn profile and I stated that I was professional sportsman and played for BCCI for more than 10 years…..

Unfortunately; Sports in India reflect as extra curriculum activity in everyone’s resume or interest level. I don’t know what is right or wrong, I am writing my experience and lessons I learned and used by playing the game of Cricket.

Sports opened the doors of best of educational institutes for me; from Schools till College, not because I was very good in academics. By any stretch of imagination, I was not great in academics but a good schooling and education ensured that I develop a positive attitude and positive perspective.

Further, Sports helped me in Channelizing my energy to positive development. Sports involvement ensured that I am able to decide to prioritize my time and energy. Sports helped me in developing healthy habits. Otherwise, things would have been totally different.

Anything and Everything happens only when people work together. Where else I could have learned the most important lesson, than in the ground about Team Work while being involved in the team game. In any sporting discipline, children’s from different socio-economic back ground meet; stays and plays the game together. The team is formed with people from different languages, different liking and disliking and still everyone plays and encouraged to play every game to win and to perform the best they could as a Team & Individuals.

I learned about Commitment &Work Ethic by doing the same practice drills everyday and every hour. Things are same in my professional career too. Sports taught me this lesson which helping me everyday to go through the drills with stronger desire to do well.

In Sports and in my Professional Career I have learned with time that It is always about 100% commitment towards my performance matters more than results I have achieved. Results are reflection of my disciplined approach and Attitude than luck or talent.

Everyday there is opportunity to stand as leader and lead the way for my team or family or friends. When you play any sport; every moment will give you opportunity to test your Leadership Ability. Sports inculcated Leadership Ability and most importantly gave me the Confidence of Taking or Making a Decisions. I have seen and watching so many people who has all the means and intelligence in the world, but do not have the guts to take the decisions. The fear of failure is more than expectation Winning. It is never a matter of what is right or what is wrong.

Sporting experience gave me the chance to travel length and breadth of India and meet players from different places. Those numerous experiences, gave me the confidence of reaching out and communicating with people and making log term relationship. I feel Teammates actually hover somewhere between being a friend and family. The relationship and camaraderie you develop in the ground, goes a long way in life. In Business, you network with people to get the necessary impetus in business dealing.

Most importantly Sports has taught me to smile through all the disappointments in life. Sports teach people How to Lose. Not everyday you will meet with chasing your target, there will days when you will come back empty handed but you need remain calm and focused. If you lose that, you will lose everyday going forward.

By virtue of Sports, many doors of opportunities have opened for me. I am in debt to Sports for my entire life. I have experienced myself and would like to encourage everyone to play. Play any game and encourage children’s to select a game and motivate him/her to play it. It will help him/her not only to have Healthy Life Because Of Regular Activity in the ground but also help them to be better individuals with broader perspective in life.

Today also the basics are same. I have been working for more than 10+ years in the different teams, with different people, in different business verticals, the mantra of success is still the same: “The best result will come when everyone in the group does what is best for himself & his group”….. John Nash

Happy Sporting Way of Life!