You could have done all the hard
work in perfecting a thing.You could have nailed the practice
drills with a supreme aplomb. But what matters in the end, is how
you deliver at the biggest stage.
In the recently concluded India-Aus series, there were two debutants for the home side: Shikhar Dhawan (277) and Ajinkya Rahane (278). Both of them have grinded their way to this international level. Still there was a slight difference in their paths.
A comparative analysis can
elaborate:
Shikhar Dhawan : 5800 FC runs at
46 average.
Ajinkya Rahane: 5400 FC
runs at 60 average.
If I read that statistic, and
even watch the best IPL innings of both the talented batsmen, I would easily
call Ajinkya Rahane a better bet than Shikhar Dhawan. Also, form-wise, both
were in good nick when last checked. A bookie will put more money on the latter
to shine. But then there was a little anti-climax.
IShikhar Dhawan hit an audacious
187 off 174 balls on debut.
Ajinkya Rahane looked extremely
nervous in both of his 7 & 1 run debut innings .
Both had made their mark in First
class. Rahane had done it with a better consistency. Yet, Dhawan grabbed the
chance on being given the launching pad. That is what confidence can do for
you. It is certainly not all rosy for Dhawan ahead, and certainly not all bleak
for Rahane. But given the first impression, the importance of fearless audacity
came to the fore. That is where, all the talent and grinding takes a backseat.
To Rahane's defence, Delhi pitch was a bit hard to bat on and plus, he was
benched for too long. So, some rustiness had to be there. All these reasons
aren't considered much, and for the moment, Dhawan has stomped his way on to
the test level with a certain thing called CONFIDENCE.
Watching all this,I initially
felt bad for Rahane. But realized that talent is not enough to excel at the
highest level. You need to handle the nerves. As always,cricket match teaches a
lesson of life!
'On a good Length' roots for talented to become confident.
