INDIA’S HUMILIATING LOSS against Australia at Adelaide in the first Test of the series Down Under provided enough ammunition for many former cricketers to write the team’s epitaph. “No chance,” they proclaimed after the second innings scorecard read an embarrassing ‘36 for nine’ (one player was retired hurt), with skipper Virat Kohli scheduled to go on a paternity break thereafter.
Exactly a month since that defeat, they’ve been forced to eat humble pie. India won two of the next three Tests—including at ‘Fortress Gabba’ where the Aussies hadn’t lost a five-day game in 32 years—to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Amid setbacks and a spate of injuries to multiple players, the team displayed its resilient face and the tenacity to win against all odds.
Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane led from the front—his magnificent 112 in the second Test at Melbourne was instrumental in India leveling the series—with his cool demeanor, while the youngsters raised their hands and stood up to the occasion. From opening batsman Shubman Gill to pacer Mohammed Siraj, they showed the world they are ready for a fight, they are unafraid of challenges, and that a new India has emerged on the cricketing scene.
Here are some of the young architects of India’s win:
SHUBMAN GILL
This story is from the February 12, 2021 edition of Forbes India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 12, 2021 edition of Forbes India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure
Living Waters
A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet
