The Indian Cricket Team triumphed at the Oval in London in style, beating a beleaguered English side, which just caved in under pressure on the last day of the 4th Test Match of the 5 match series , resulting in a 2-1 lead for the Indians .
I had written a blog on India’s victory at Lord’s as well , but I just couldn’t resist myself again because this Indian Team just keeps on surprising me . Whenever this team is pushed to the wall , they come back strongly . They possess a strong counter punch , have great belief in their abilities , exhibit tremendous Team work , are tenacity personified and if summed up in one sentence this Indian Team does not take the field to Survive , it takes the field to Win . All this makes a potent concoction and a sure recipe for success.
However there are two attributes in this Team , which impress me most and from a Management point of view in any organisation / institution , these attributes are critical for sustained performance .
1. Self Belief.
We have noticed time and again that this Indian Team has bounced back after being inflicted with severe blows . Just a few months ago India was skittled out for a paltry 36 runs at Adelaide, but went on to win the series in Australia and yet again after losing by an innings at Leeds , India came back strongly to win at the Oval. To arrest such reversals and push for victories is only possible when one has unflinching self belief. Similarly in an organisation it is imperative to inculcate and build self belief amongst the employees, not just by training and skill development alone, but also through a strong systemic support apparatus , organised on the job mentoring and empowerment .
2. Team work.
In Australia, as well as in the victories at Lords and Oval , every player in the team contributed at some stage of the match thus ensuring an Indian victory . This was not visible in the earlier teams wherein some brilliant performance by individuals resulted in victories , but there never was such consistency in performance as is seen these days . These sustained achievements have to be attributed to a large extent to Team building and Team spirit leading to seamless Team work on the field. Similarly we all appreciate the importance of Team work in an institution , however what all we do for it is of critical importance. Exercises for Team engagement , Team building , developing trust and most importantly having a common objective for all the employees is an absolute must.
For me this Indian Team is a bundle of inspiration and I am sure they are the favourites for the 5th Test Match to be held at Old Trafford , Manchester .
Whether they win Manchester or not , with victories at Lords and the Oval , it would be fair to say that ..
London has been conquered .