India’s former cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth came up with an inspiring knock at the GRD School of Commerce and International Business here on Tuesday.
Addressing students in the latest episode of the Face-to-Face series, ‘Cheeka’, as he is affectionately called in cricketing circles, said everybody goes through problems in life. “It includes me as well. But, we must know how to face it,” said the man, who once sent the quickest of bowlers to the boundary.
He caught the students off guard by posing quick queries. He asked them about their ambitions in life. “At your age, I wanted to be a big shot, though I never really knew what it meant. But, over a period of time, I realised it and pursued my dreams of playing for the country. I achieved that as well. So be an achiever.”
“God made me a cricketer and a captain. I don’t want to boast about my achievements. But, when I look back, I feel I have achieved something in life,” he added. He offered a few simple tips to be an achiever as well.
The dashing opener, who was the Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), cited Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle as classic examples of positive energy. “When they take stance the bowler goes on the back foot.”
He talked about the IPL match between Kochi Tuskers and Delhi Daredevils. “Even as Delhi kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Sehwag went about slamming sixes and fours. That’s positive energy.” Srikkanth asked the students to be natural in what they did. “As long as you feel you are doing the right thing, go ahead and do it. Do not wait for somebody’s approval.”
“Also remember the word ‘Passion’. Sachin Tendulkar is just two short of 200 Tests matches. It’s an incredible achievement. That’s because of his passion even at the age of 40,” he added.
He urged the students to be innovative as well.
“Be an innovator. It is the only thing that can remain constant and take you places.”
About his unique and innovative programme www.careerstrokes.com that uses the language of sports to motivate and inspire people for achieving success in life, he said with his cricketing mind he is just adding a bit of value.
Later, he played with a straight bat to all the queries posed by the students. It ranged from superstitious beliefs to selection policies. But, for once, he looked stumped when the students asked him to identify the photos of a few popular cricketers such as Rahul Dravid, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting in their childhood days.
