Ravichandran Ashwin! Team ICT.
Probably this is such a first instance especially in the modern/current times that a player has withdrawn from a Test Match (WTC) midway, and that too after achieving the special feat of 500 wickets.
I think unanimously across the world of cricket etc. all have supported him fro making family as topmost priority and taking a break though it meant India / the team losing a premium world-class blower and allrounder in home turfs and the prospect of losing match if close or hopefully a draw on a seemingly batting wicket so far.
On the plus side that has motivated the team so much and collectively they have lifted themselves up and captured the run amassing and must be feeling comfortable England team by surprise ! 3rd day onwards India is without its top player and why not! But game has turned on its head and India taking commanding position with each passage of play.
Interestingly, the all time great as also revered as God (Cricket) Sachin Tendulkar still continued to play in the Men’s ODI World Cup 1999 even after demise of his father, as his family encouraged and said not to come for family reason but to server for national/ World Cup cause and that would be a better tribute.
that marks a few remarkable points.
- First Things First.
- TeamWork.
- Respect for Individual.
- Occupational Health and Safety.
- Emotion and Sensitivity.
- Power of Positivity.
- Performance
- Professionalism
- The Show/Job must go on.
- Transparency yet Right to Privacy.
- Code of conduct
- Integrity
- Trigger and Support Up: When a team member/senior is out due to personal reasons out of nowhere especially with regards to a parent / mother as is any such illness or unfortunate things are, lift yourself up and all spirits and positivity and determination up , to win.
- Wearing black band in support and declaration to the world we are all with our team member in his difficult family times as this.
- Family First, Profession/Job is only after that. As that moment wouldn’t come back, too.
- Mental Health priority. Focus on what’s important in the list.
- And it’s the Weekend! More spectators to even watch the match in person/ stadium. Cricket is such a sport/game where it’s not one day or a few hours matter but test match of 5 days. Still it’s fine. The evolution of Sports and Sports culture and practices, and adaptability.
- Performance: if you’re distracted for the right/top reasons, attend to that, and come afresh and any way even if you miss that it’s highly unlikely mind and body would let you perform optimally or even performing may be it’s more detrimental to the health and might cause more grievance and injury to the body and mind.
- Performance 2: this kind of things are actual triggers and sporting moments that uplifts. And tests the character grooms or shows oneself.
- Earlier it was another top player of the team Senior Pro Virat Kohli that Team India missed out as he chose leave of absence initially for the first two matches and then completely withdrew from the series due to personal reasons (mostly wife being pregnant and speculated to deliver the baby) such a Test series vs another top team England!
- Professionalism: despite the difficult times of a colleague, let’s drive that emotion and support into professionalism and occupation or the job in hand, and not have an excuse.
- Team India has been in even worse scenario when the Senior Pro and then captain Virat Kohli left the team midway in the WTC Test series in Australia especially after a record low debacle in pink ball day night test match in Adelaide. Team then under the Vice Captain taking charge and together al rose as Champions and history was scripted. Even back then a rookie/new comer Mohd Siraj performed with much spirit and this match he has delivered so far already exactly after R Ashwin departure from the match.
- A Message to those who have prioritised more and easy money and glamour and taking break and not prioritising Test Cricket but preferring T20 leagues and IPL. So let’s performa and take this opportunity to support a genuine colleague and enhance ours place/position credits as well.
- Code of Ethics and Integrity: don’t fire a person or demotivate or exploit just because the person is facing adversity / family times and wants time off.
- Emotion is fine and not bad. Allow Nature and time take own course/flow.
- Effective Habits, Practice/s and Culture.
And what corporates and software/IT must learn apart from the above?
- Hours of Play not extended. So don’t stretch employees or stake holders. That just kills. Overtime kills. Keep it as choice and don’t enslave or force upon something or threaten nor exploit. But follow the rules and law in spirit and action as well. Let it be Professional, Productive and yet Humane/Empathetic.
- And Day time is the best for Job. Don’t make it late nights or overstretched.
- If boards as such as BCCI who dictates to players taking a balanced and respected approach, why not other corporates and entities and employers be it full time top grade employee or contractors/hired whatever respect/mode!
- Balance Sheet and Money also allows more humane approach not the arrogant nor extreme ways.
Interesting Cricket Fact has come out in this time only. It’s Ashwin’s mother who has advised him to take up spin and not pace (bowling).
So family/member’s contribution is also highlighted and respected with gratitude. Let the facts come out in due course and timely.
Testing Times literally yet Positively.
(it’s an ongoing test match, so a few more points and happenings might be added later.)
~ Prabeen Kumar Pati
Prabeen Pati 