Conquest of happiness

India in a zone of their own at home as they continue winning march with absolute ease

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

IN a team sport, winning can be very contagious. It acts like chicken soup for the soul. A warm hug on a cold day. An IV of dopamine hooked to the veins. An oxytocin to build and develop relationships. A rising tide that lifts all boats.

This is the tidal wave that's sweeping the Indian team currently. The positive energy is hard to miss. The competition for winning the fielding medal has become appointment streaming. Days before the World Cup began, the one question was how would they treat pressure and the weight of expectations? Were they going to be consumed by it? Or were they going to embrace it? After 25 days since their first World Cup-based training session, six matches and one short break post the New Zealand match at Dharamsala, one thing is clear. They are enjoying the ride. They have embraced the joy of playing at home rather than allow pressure to eat them.

In psychology, there is something called the challenge mindset and the threat mindset. The former is healthier while the latter can have debilitating consequences.

Divya Jain, head of Psychological Services at Fortis healthcare, explains. "For a lot of people, playing at home can be a great energiser," Jain, who advises Indian Olympians among other athletes, tells this daily.