By Urvi Shah and Ekantika Iyer
Estimated reading time: 7-10 mins
Yesterday (31st Oct 2020), it was a double header Saturday at IPL. It wasn’t just another weekend but the most crucial one before the qualifiers. It was a must win game for three teams viz. DC/RCB/SRH as MI has made it to the qualification for the playoffs. The first match was between DC and MI where it was extremely important for DC to win in order to qualify for the playoffs. They were just a win away from qualification. In the second match between RCB and SRH, RCB had to win the game in order to qualify and stay on the top 2 of the points table and it was a must win for SRH to stay in the run for qualification in the playoffs. With such crucial games for the teams, it was a stressful Saturday in the tournament.
In the first match between MI and DC, we saw a clinical performance by the Mumbai Indians who restricted Delhi Capitals to 110/9 in 20 overs. The bowling unit of MI created a lot of pressure for the DC in the first innings and we could see that the batting unit of DC was finding it difficult to counterattack the pressure. With Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult picking up 3 wickets each, it was a discouraging innings for the DC. With losing early wickets in the game and not building even one strong partnership, DC was seen to be feeling the pressure. With the dominating performance by MI in this tournament, even after making changes to tackle the team, DC was not on the winning side. With Ishan Kishan (72*) playing extremely well in the second innings, it was MI who sealed it with a win and got 2 points added to their team. With team Dc having just one more game in their hand, it is time for them to reflect, introspect and come out the next time against RCB with the intention, motivation and determination to win like they used to in the first half of the tournament.
Watch the highlights for DC vs MI
In the second match between RCB and SRH, we saw some great game play from the team SRH. RCB lost its first wicket within the first over. RCB batsmen were seen to crumble down as wickets went down within a short period of time. We saw that the similar situation had taken place with DC in the first game too. The batting unit tried level best to stay at the crease, and some how they did manage to contribute a little to the scoreboard. Eventually they set up a target of 121 for SRH. In the second half of the game, we witnessed early wicket of David Warner, thus creating pressure for other team players. We also saw the middle order of SRH playing well and getting those runs moving. With Manish Pandey and Wriddhiman Saha losing their wickets, it was a swing of pressure on the batting unit. With only 30+ runs required in 50+ balls, it was still i n the favor of SRH. They did successfully manage to seal the win and get those 2 points to be in the running for the playoffs. Although, we could see better performance in the bowling unit of SRH. With only one game left for RCB against DC , it is going to be a cracking start to the week on Monday as they both are looking for a win to stay in the playoffs. Who do you think is going to get the next one?
Watch the highlights for RCB vs SRH
Both the matches had a lot in common. Their performances were not up to their potentials and we could see them absorbing the pressure. We have definitely talked about the effect of pressure on performance, how changing things can affect our performance both in a positive and negative manner, and how we need to keep giving our best . Most important factor in all of this was about being consistent! Consistency was the key for both the games.
How does consistency play a role?
Individual success or team success cannot come in a day or two. You have to keep putting the effort every now and then. When you constantly give your best, you develop the skill to be consistent in your field. Consistency is a natural thing for some whereas some find it difficult to be consistent. It is more of a habit to develop in order to progress in your life. If you track back their performances, you will find the games where they have been performing well consistently. We hear them talk in the post match interview where they say that: “We are making it a habit to win“. What does this exactly mean?
When you want to succeed and perform better in your field, you have to put in efforts and be disciplined. It is challenging to be focused and consistent when you are developing or doing something new. It is important to build that momentum in order to work efficiently and get positive results. Nothing comes to you if you don’t put in the effort. Sometimes you don’t just need to put efforts but you need to commit to it too. Commitment and consistency go hand in hand. If you are committed to your work but you are not consistent with your efforts, the results will not be in your favor. Consistency is usually the difference between success and blocks to success.
In our daily lives too, this is applicable. Consistency doesn’t mean not to take breaks or keep doing things day in and out. You have to do things regularly. You have to be patient and stay mindful. Track your own progress. Tracking your own progress in your field helps you to know whether or not you have been consistent and committed. take the accountability of the same and push yourself by making small goals, taking small steps. It is not like you will make a drastic change and everything will turn upside down like they show in the movies. You have to start small and slow. Build the habit. For example: You want to be a better runner, you cannot run 10 kms in a day and expect your body to stay with you till the last lap if you have not been consistent and committed to your training. You have to start training. There will be bad days and good days, you have to still keep training. You have to push yourself by 500 metres each time once you reach a certain level and track your progress. It may take different time frame for everyone to develop that as a habit and perform their best but, once it is there, you tend to perform better and keep pushing your potentials. Being consistent helps you to build confidence, stand out from people and improve yourself in any area of life.
Everything in life is a game of consistency!!
Key takeaways from this match:
- Introspect your performance and strengthen the weak areas.
- Passion alone cannot lead to success, commitment and consistent effort does.
- Being committed leads to better performance.
- Showing consistent behavior throughout life, will help in growth and helps building the trust factor.