Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir: Faith as a Source of Strength in Cricket
In a candid conversation hosted by the BCCI, former Indian cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli delved into the profound role that faith plays in their lives and careers. Despite their contrasting personalities, both players share a deep connection to the divine, which they credit as a source of inner strength and resilience.
Gambhir vividly recalled the epic knock he played in Napier, New Zealand, nearly 15 years ago. Facing a daunting follow-on, he found solace in chanting the ‘Hanuman Chalisa.’ This devotional hymn helped him summon the determination to bat for over 10 hours, saving the Test match for India.
Similarly, Kohli revealed that during his triumphant 2014 tour of Australia, he would chant ‘Om Namah Shivay’ before every delivery. This mantra, dedicated to Lord Shiva, kept him focused and in the zone, enabling him to score four Test centuries.
“Instead of talking about me, I remember when you had that bumper series in Australia, where you scored heaps and heaps of runs, you were telling me that you kept saying ‘Om Namah Shivay’ before every delivery. And that got you in that zone,” Gambhir remarked.
Gambhir’s innings in Napier was a testament to his unwavering resolve. He faced 436 balls over two days and half a session, forming crucial partnerships with Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman.
“I remember Laxman telling me when I was batting on Day 5 in Napier. After that first session, when I was walking back, he told me ‘Do you realize you have not uttered a word for the last two hours, even between overs’? I realized that I did not say a word,” Gambhir recounted.
“All I did between overs was nod and play, and when I got back, I put on Hanuman Chalisa and listened to it. For those two-and-half-days, it was like completely zoned out.”
Both Gambhir and Kohli emphasized that the state of being in the zone is a divine experience, accessible only to those who have experienced it firsthand. Their shared faith in the divine has undoubtedly been a cornerstone of their success as cricketers, empowering them to overcome challenges both on and off the field.
