Well it all started on Feb 18th 2011 and hasn't ended on 2nd April.... Each one of us has connected with this WC in a unique manner. Here are my Top Thirteen Lessons from this WC....
1. Visualize Your Success in Advance. You always win twice, first in the mind's eye and then for real. This team started visualizing playing in the WC finals one year back at Dambulla (well Aug 27th , 2010 to be precise) & Pady Upton was the man who created that vision for the first time.
2. Speak Less Do More. Calmness is a virtue which isn't valued much nowadays. Calmness, Dignity & Poise make character shine, and thanks to Sehwag for bringing them back in fashion. Can we ever forget him getting down from the team bus whistling ? and then an hour later brutally spanking Umar Gul to all parts of the park.
3. Do it for team and not for your-self. Difficult one to believe, but more often when a team starts to do it for other members the glory that comes ones way is unbelievable. We will all remember the quote of the final "He has carried the nation's hope on his shoulders for 21st years, time we carried him on ours" Kohli you beauty.
4. Acknowledge Self's Mistakes and Team's Success. Every member of team throughout the campaign kept on talking about where he could improve individually and how others were doing great collectively.
5. Each Member’s Contribution is Critical for Team’s Success. It could boil down to Nehra or Raina or Chawla or even Sreesanth. Once given to you that is your team, one can’t always have a say in that. However one can show undying and unwavering faith in your team members and that’s how a Nehra v/s SA can turn into the best bowler v/s Pakistan.
6. When a Team Member is Down, Don't Forget Him. In today's dog eat dog world, who carries the can for any-one’s failure. But remember when your team member is down, that's when he needs you and the team most. And don’t worry he will remember it and will pay you back - Yuvi's Story will be part of sporting folklore for many decades.
7. Even the Best can't do it Without the Right Team. One word - Sachin !
8. Scraping is Just as Beautiful. Beautiful and sublime has no meaning if it isn't effective and purposeful, wonder how many will remember Mahela's sublime innings. It is Ghambhir's scraping, fighting, chancy and dirty innings which was more valued. Some time it is just too easy to throw it away , but team values every scrap that’s done for a larger cause.
9. Importance of Back-room Boys. Greg v/s Gary , need I say more. It was so emotional to see the masseur of the team holding and posing with the cup in the dressing room. The image of support staff in red shirts forming a chain behind team blue’s victory lap signifies the foundation role of these man with few words and lots of hard work.
10. Remember The Contributions of the Past Members – The team pulled Kumble in the dressing room celebrations, Yuvi remembered Saurav’s contribution to his life at the most important press conference. In today’s world when most people are busy garnering all for themselves, it was nice to see this team remember past contributors with humbleness.
11. Lead from the Front. Of course it is risky, so was coming at no.5. Of course you will be criticized ,so was not picking Ashwin, Of course you will be tense, so was facing the best bowler of all times, Of course you will have self doubts, Of course it’s for all or nothing ... but that's the only way to be crowned the best Caption in Modern Cricket - Mahi you are the Man.
12. Once Done, Let Go of the Emotions. – That’s the time to bare it all to the world. Yuvraj, Sachin, Bhajji, Gary in tears will remain etched in our collective memories for ever. Also important to let those emotions flow so as to close the successful chapter and look forward. After all life’s a journey is it not :-)
13. Remembering The Ordinary Man who is behind it all – Every cricketing fan in this world should hold the moment dear when Sachin called Sudhir Gautam (the man who paints himself in tri-colors and supports SRT with a Conch at every match) and posed with him holding the World Cup. In the bright light of super stars it is easy to forget the fans who make it real.
