What the Perth Test has taught us about life battles

By K.R. Nayar

This write-up is not an analysis of the Perth Test match, the turning points of the match, or an account of the players' performances. Countless write-ups on India’s big win are already there all over the media. That is what is normally expected from a cricket writer. Instead, my takeaways from the Perth Test were several powerful lessons about life.

 

This 295-runs victory is undoubtedly a monumental achievement for India, achieved against all odds. Few expected such an outcome when the Indian team departed for Australia, having recently suffered a 3-0 thrashing by New Zealand at home. Even when India was bowled out for 150 in the first innings, many would have assumed that their bad run from the New Zealand series was continuing. However, the first lesson about life is this: no matter how tough the situation, a turnaround is always possible.

 

Jasprit Bumrah, captaining Team India, inspired his teammates with his stellar bowling, demonstrating that even Australia’s top order could crumble. His performance kept the team’s morale high, preventing shoulders from drooping after a poor first-innings score. The lesson here is that, even when pushed down, nothing stops you from rising and fighting back.

 

The result of rising up and fighting back was extraordinary. Australia’s highly acclaimed batting line-up, on one of their favorite home grounds, was bowled out for a mere 104 runs. Time and again, we’ve seen cricket reward the brave. Regardless of the ground or the opposition’s pedigree, it is possible to rattle even the best. For Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, this was their Test debut. Their performances offer another lesson about life: walk into challenges without fear but with determination. As a result, Nitish contributed with valuable knocks, and Harshit with timely wickets.

 

Bouncers can unsettle any batter, especially on a fast wicket like that in Perth. Yet, a motivated mind overcomes fear, allowing focus and alertness to take over. Before the match, Team India coach Gautam Gambhir advised Nitish, “When you face a bouncer, take it on your shoulder like taking a bullet for your country.” In life, too, when your mind is tuned for challenges, fear vanishes.

 

Harshit’s performance reflected years of hard work. From a young age, this 22-year-old pacer trained diligently—starting as early as 4:30 a.m., attending school until 2:00 p.m., and continuing his training until 9:30 p.m. His story is a testament to the idea that determination and relentless effort can help anyone achieve their dreams. Harshit had worked hard while the world slept. On Friday morning, as Indian fans woke up early to watch the Test, they saw him clean-bowling Travis Head—the batter who denied India the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup with a match-winning century. Harshit’s three-wicket spell hastened Australia’s first-innings collapse.

 

Yashasvi Jaiswal ... celebrates his century. Photos: BCCI Twitter 

India’s second-innings hero, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has a story of resilience and grit. Once a seller of panipuri, living in a tent with groundsmen, this 22-year-old overcame unimaginable odds to achieve his dream of playing for India. From a first-innings duck to scoring 161 in the second innings, Yashasvi demonstrated the lesson his life has taught him: never give up, and rise up from zero to a hero.

 

Virat Kohli, under immense pressure to perform, showed that self-belief is the key to overcoming obstacles. His unbeaten century was a product of this belief and his relentless determination.

 

The final lesson from the Perth Test is that, like life, every day is a new day. The next Test will be another challenge for both, India and Australia. I am reminded of this quote by tennis legend Serena Williams, who said, “A champion is defined not by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fall.”