Maintaining Good Mental Health Is A Big Challenge In Cricket: Rahul Dravid

Cricket is a tough game and the players are giving absolutely everything to overcome the stress of tight schedules. Recently, Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell took an indefinite break from cricket citing mental issues. Meanwhile, the former India captain Rahul Dravid was asked about dealing with mental issues. He feels that maintaining good mental health is a big challenge in the game of cricket.

Dravid, who is the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Director stated that it is tough to cope when a player warms the bench for a considerable time. According to him, there is stiff competition and ultimately there is a lot of pressure on players who represent the national cricket team.

“It is a big challenge. This is a tough game. There is so much competition, a lot of pressure, and kids are playing all year round now. It is a game in which you do sometimes spend a lot of time waiting around, having a lot of time to think,” Dravid told ESPNCricinfo when asked about his opinion on the issue.

It is really important to maintain balance in everything you do: Rahul Dravid

Dravid, who is currently mentoring India’s young brigade in several roles, said tough competition demands that players pay much attention to their satisfaction. The Indian batting great highlighted that it is indeed necessary to maintain a certain level of balance in whatever work players do.

“You really need to look after yourself on and off the field and look after stuff like mental health. That’s again something that, as much as we talk to these boys about, it’s really important to maintain a certain level of balance in everything you do. Be able to find that balance between not getting too excited when you succeed and not getting too disappointed when you fail. I just think being able to lead a slightly balanced life potentially helps.”

Rahul Dravid also took time to praise the senior pace battery featuring the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. According to him, these pacers are setting a great example for youngsters to follow suit.

“I think what Ishant (Sharma), (Mohammed) Shami, Umesh (Yadav), Bhuvneshwar Kumar and (Jasprit) Bumrah are doing, is they are actually in a way becoming role models for a lot of younger generation of boys who believe now they can be fast bowlers,” he signed off.

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