Maxwell Magic
Glenn Maxwell’s innings of 201 not out, against Afghanistan the other day, while chasing a target of 291, and from a most hopeless situation of being at 91/7, and with physical handicap of Maxwell in later stages of the game, crossing the target, convincingly and comfortably, is being most talked about subject in cricketing circles these days.
Yes, that was an epic innings Maxwell played, and people watching live at that time, in the stadium and on their TV screens, are lucky to have been a witness to such an unbelievable super human innings being played by him that night on 7th Nov 2023.
But just take a pause, and think what would have happened had Afghanistan not dropped those three missed catches. If they would have snapped even one of those three missed chances, Maxwell’s innings would have come to an abrupt end, and Australia, in all likelihood, would have wrapped up their innings well short of target of 291 which Afghanistan posted on the board.
But destiny seems to have a different design for Maxwell. Those three reprieves he got through missed chances, probably strengthened his self belief in his competence, and without fearing failure, he rather believed in his strength and his purpose for being there, and went ahead in annihilating Afghanistan bowlers to surpass the target score.
On Maxwell’s masterpiece innings, one friend remarked, “ Angels helped Australia“, and I said, Maxwell himself was like an Angel, who rose to the occasion and played his natural attacking game to see Australia through the game.
Lessons
1. Self- belief, more so under adverse circumstances, is most important, and it has to be a kind, like “I can drink ocean”. Hope some of us would have noticed two small posters in Australian dressing room, like,
“ I can do it”, and “ I will do it”, which tells the story of Australian’s grit and determination even when chips are severally down.
2. Team’s belief :- Just recollect, that Australia, after losing first two games miserably, regrouped themselves, and went on to win next 6 games on trot. That’s Australia’s resilience, and Maxwell has been a chip of the same block. Confidence and Self-Belief work in tandem with each other.
3. Though Maxwell came on cricket scenes in 2012, and was known to possess extraordinary batting skills, but it took him 11 years, and at 35 years age, to showcase the depth of his stroke play in a crucial World cup match. Staying power and continued self belief ensured Maxwell doesn’t miss his date with fame and recognition as possibly the best in class for all times.
4. That means, even when you are talented, or rather a gifted person, and are doing pretty well, yet not necessarily you shall shine by 20-25 age group. It may take longer to rise to the supreme level of fame and recognition. You just need to be there at the crease/workplace, and keep doing/contributing to the best of your abilities. Stay aloft with hope, success or no success.
Stay there, believe in your dreams, and you surely shall have a date with your destiny.
Talwaredge.com