March 20, 2008

Cricket and Behaviour - Sreesanth example.

Our cricketer boy Sreesanth, you know, is matured now.
This is what he himself says. I am referring to the news reports, quoting Sreesanth as saying that"I am a much more matured cricketer now". He also said : " ..... there is a very thin line between foolishness and bravery ".

Learning from lessons is always good. And one should learn too. But this is a case of learing by self ! Putting the hands in a flame, get burnt, and understand that flame is very hot and can burn ! That's what Sreesanth did learn.
There are many things in life one should learn, without experiencing by self. There are many lessons in life, everyone should learn and understand. Not only from books or the like, but from his enviromnment (including home, school, teachers, parents, friends, and so on..). However, there could be many lapses. When one gets into the society and start working and contributing, all kinds of lessons get applied.

A driver should know how to operate (move ) his machine/vehicle. He needs to know many things more to be a driver. He should know, in addition to moving/running his vehicle, road/traffic rules, handling emergencies, movement forecasts, behaving well with passengers and other vehicles, and so on. Being empathetic is yet another major lesson. Usually, when one learns driving, he learns only about moving the vehicle, and little bit about road/traffic rules. I've not come across any driver in Kerala, who has learnt how to deal with his passengers or other vehicles running with him. Many organisations train their drivers, first on how to handle people/passengers in his vehicle. No taxi/ auto driver in Kerala is trained in how to behave, except for a small percentage of drivers (probably with a born soft genes in them). That's why I suggest that all taxi/auto drivers must be trained in behaviour, before they are permitted to drive a taxi. ( This is applicable to non-taxis as well).

Coming back to Sreesanth. Skills in playing cricket alone are not sufficient. To be a professional (even a game like cricket), one needs training in all the other related aspects too. That includes how to behave with fellow players, public, opponents, umpires, media , and so on. Skills in all these associated elements cannot be acquired by self experiencing. Most of the knowledge and skills are from people who have already learned it. That's training. Sreesanth ( and other immature cricketers) should be trained in these kind of lessons. Selection team should look at cricket skills and other 'soft skills' needed for being a professional player. Remember, a player of this sort, is not just an individual, but is 'an Indian'.

A man is a man, because he doesn't show off his 'animal instincts'. If he shows, he is not a man, but an animal only. This is where "self awareness" plays a role. When one doesnot have the self-awareness, he'll show his 'animal instincts'. This is what happened to Sreesanth too. Sreesanth (in fact everyone) shows his 'animal instincts' while playing. He expresses his emotions without any self-restraint. Its clear; he lacks 'self-awareness'.
Now that someone is training him with good lessons, let's hope Sreesanth will shine like a super star. Since he himself is aware of the facts now (I hope so), he'll do better.

Sreesanth, we all are your fans. We are proud of you. We all pray for you and wish you the best. We want you, and you will, become #1 in World Cricket.

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