5 good qualities that we can learn from cricketers

Cricketers have always been role models for many youngsters. It is not just their batting, bowling or fielding that the fans admire, but it is also their attitude on and off the field that inspires one and all to be like them. Cricket has seen many iconic players over the years with every player exhibiting a unique set of qualities for fans to inculcate.

Let us have a look at 5 such qualities that can help us become a better person and excel in our careers.

#1 Focus - Rahul Dravid

The wall of Indian cricket Rahul Dravid is the epitome of the quality of focus. Dravid never lost focus from his goal of scoring runs and helping the team win matches. A rabid crowd, media pressure and opposition team's sledging never distracted him.

In one such incident when India was playing Australia in Mumbai (Border-Gavaskar trophy 2001), Dravid was supposedly caught by Michael Slater. On referring it to the third umpire it was given not out as the ball had fallen just short of Slater, as per replays.

Annoyed at the decision, Slater tried sledging Dravid and hurled abuses at him. But even after all this Dravid did not lose his cool and was extremely focused on the all-important game. After the match Slater quoted :

"Sledging Rahul Dravid was one the mistakes of my life. He did not lose his cool even when I was hurling abuses at him. I could not stomach the fact that he was single-handedly demolishing the best team in the world. When the rage wore out on me, I realised that I was an animal and he was a gentleman. He won my heart instantly."

Learn to stay focused - from Rahul Dravid, have a target in mind, focus on it and walk straight towards it, not getting bogged down by other factors.

#2 Channeling aggression - Virat Kohli

Youth icon and star of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli is aggression personified. Very few bowlers in world cricket can resist Virat's fire and brimstone. Aggression is a double-edged sword, if not channeled correctly can go wrong.

In his early days, Virat too had this issue of demonstrating his aggression at the wrong place and time. One such instance was him showing the middle finger to the spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a Test match between India and Australia (January 2012).

But over the years, it has been correctly channelized - now the Indian skipper prepares aggressively, bats aggressively, runs aggressively between the wickets and thinks aggressively as a captain. His personal milestones and India's success prove how this has worked wonders. This is what former Australian captain Michael Clarke said in a press conference about Kohli:

“Virat’s aggression is one of his greatest strengths, that’s the way he likes to play and that’s how he has had success, and that is the way he will continue to play”.

Learn to channelize your aggression from Virat Kohli. Put aggression into the task you are performing.

#3 Persistence - Stuart MacGill

Stuart MacGill is a former Australian leg-spinner who played 44 Tests and 3 ODIs for Australia between 1998 and 2008. In his 44 matches, he picked up 208 wickets at a staggering average of 29.02.

He is largely considered to be one of the most ill-fated cricketers. This is because he played in an era when another Australian leggie - Shane Warne - ruled the world when it came to spin bowling. Warne played between 1992 and 2007.

Competing against the spin wizard for selection, MacGill's place in the side always remained uncertain. But he did not give up or blame it on his fate. He persisted. He kept performing in first class cricket, piling up wickets.

He has an astonishing first-class record with 774 wickets in 184 matches. As a result of his persistence, he ended up playing 44 Tests for Australia, making a significant impact.

This is what he said about Shane Warne in an interview to ESPN Cricinfo -

"A lot of people ask me about Shane Warne but let me tell you, I never competed with another player - it's not massively helpful"

Stuart MacGill's persistence fetched him the baggy green

Learn to be persistent - from Stuart MacGill. Never give up on something just because you saw someone else doing it better than you.

#4 Self-belief - Sir Viv Richards

Walking like a don, crushing the gum between his teeth, Sir Viv Richards had a swagger about him. Confidence can be seen in his walk, his batting stance, and his eyes. That body language intimidated the best of the bowlers. He is the epitome of self-belief. This quality of his helped him rip apart any bowling line-up.

Scyld Berry, cricket correspondent at The Telegraph, once said -

"Nobody has walked to the crease as Richards did. No choreographer, equipped with spotlights and sound effects, could have improved upon his natural entrance."

Learn Self-belief from Sir Viv Richards - having faith in your skill-set is a must to achieve success.

#5 Willpower - Yuvraj Singh

The six-sixes man, king Yuvraj Singh has an unwavering mind. A dogged Yuvraj battled cancer and also made a comeback to the national side in April 2012. Battling such a life-threatening disease requires resolute self-belief, which Yuvraj exhibited.

It was during the 2011 World Cup that Yuvraj started facing difficulty in breathing. After a thorough examination, it was found out that Yuvraj was carrying a malignant tumour about 14 cm in size between his chest and left lung.

It was his willpower through the treatment that got him through the terrifying situation and play the rest of the World Cup.

He didn't just play the World Cup but literally won it for the country. He was adjudged man of the tournament. Yuvraj is purported to not have informed the BCCI or the team management about his condition till the World Cup ended.

"I did not inform about it to the BCCI, team management or teammates. The World Cup was in India and was also Sachin's last chance to lift the trophy. So I overcame my fear and focused on winning the cup," he said at a press conference.

Although he recently failed the Yo-Yo fitness test - a new prerequisite for selection in the Indian team, given his willpower, he can surely make a comeback.

Learn willpower from Yuvraj Singh - having a strong mind very important to snap out of your funk.