Virat Kohli (left) and Yuvraj Singh (right) open up about dealing with sports injuries, pain and wear and tear.
Whether picking up an injury with the constant wear and tear of the body, an unexpected blow like a serious disease, or a freak mishap on the field, sportsmen often endure pain as something that is inevitable.
In a chat with Sir Viv Richards, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli summed it up. “I prefer getting hit early on and really hard, so it motivates me even further not to allow that to happen again; just that pain to go through your body and be like – okay enough, it’s not happening again,” he said to the gentleman who never wore a helmet while facing some of the quickest bowlers ever. In an interview with Sir Viv Richards, Virat said that he prefers getting hit early on so he doesn't let it happen again. Here are other insightful and inspiring thoughts on facing pain from some legendary sportsmen:
“I don’t count my sit-ups. I only start counting once it starts hurting because they’re the only ones that count.” - Muhammad Ali
Ali isn’t hailed as ‘The Greatest’ for nothing. The revered boxer probably took some of the toughest blows in and outside the ring, but just like his fists, his core was strong enough to knock them all out.
“I was not going to feel sorry for myself. No, why should I? When my form came back, or when I picked up wickets, or when I got the big scores, or when I got player of the match, or hit six sixes, had I ever asked God, ‘Why me?’ Of course not. Often in my career, I have been the man with silver in the fist. Have I ever asked God, ‘Why me?’ No, never. So, when the illness came I had no right to ask, ‘Why me?’” - Yuvraj Singh
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Flamboyant and talented, Singh is counted among one of the best Indian limitedover players. Not everyone, not every day, hits a bowler out of the park six times in an over. His most rousing story though was his spirited battle against cancer, which he shared in detail in his autobiography.
While suffering from cancer, Yuvraj Singh decided to never feel sorry for himself or ask 'why me?' “People hurt themselves more than the injury itself by not doing what they can even though one part of their body is hurt.” - Andre Agassi
The story of the man who was once nicknamed ‘The Punisher’ for his prowess on the court can move the coldest of hearts. Fighting personal issues, poor form and severe physical injuries, Agassi almost always emerged a winner. The 1999 comeback? You can’t write off legends like him.
“My body could stand the crutches, but my mind couldn’t stand the sidelines.” - Michael Jordan
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Jordan’s biography on the NBA website reads, “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all times.” His Airness remains one of the most inspiring figures in sports and when he speaks of not giving up, you listen.
Cricket's Boundary Norm Ain't The Only One: Sports Where Bizarre Rules Were Put To Rest
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After a bizarre rule kept cricket’s biggest glory away from New Zealand in the cricket World Cup final earlier this year, the governing body decided the ‘boundary rule’ had to go. A look at other instances where the rules were altered.
After a bizarre rule kept cricket’s biggest glory away from New Zealand in the cricket World Cup final earlier this year, the governing body decided the ‘boundary rule’ had to go. A look at other ins..
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Sport: Tennis Rule: Players’ input in roof decision at Wimbledon Cause of change: The semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2018 caused a roof controversy. The match started indoors because of rain and was then stopped at 11 pm due to the existing rules. There was no rain the next day, but Djokovic insisted the match continue with the roof on as that is how they had started it. Pat came a rule change. From 2019, any match postponed at 11 pm would continue the next day outdoors, unless it was raining. Off to bed, boys.
Sport: TennisRule: Players’ input in roof decision at WimbledonCause of change: The semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2018 caused a roof controversy. The match started indoors bec..
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Sport: Football Rule: Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Cause of change: This one was a no-brainer. While cricket had the third umpire for ages, football took a while to accept video assisted umpiring decisions. Hello VAR! Let there be no more unfair calls, wrongfully awarded penalties, missed offsides, and of course, grumbling managers and Jose Mourinhos. After extensive trials, VAR was written into the Laws of the Game in 2018 by the International Football Association Board.
Sport: FootballRule: Video Assistant Referee (VAR)Cause of change: This one was a no-brainer. While cricket had the third umpire for ages, football took a while to accept video assisted umpiring deci..
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Sport: Formula 1 Rule: Continuous review of safety norms Cause of change: The world reeled when the legendary Ayrton Senna and young Roland Rat zenberger perished in one weekend in Italy in 1994. And then in 2015, French driver Jules Bianchi succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Since Senna, there have been cont inued reviews of the safety aspect of the sport. In 2003, the Head and Neck Support (HANS) device was made compulsory. Helmets and visors have gotten better too. And of course, there is the safety car. Did you think things were always this proactive? Well, helmets were made compul sory in 1953 , fireproof overal ls were introduced in the ’60s and seatbelts only in 1972. Chew on this.
Sport: Formula 1Rule: Continuous review of safety normsCause of change: The world reeled when the legendary Ayrton Senna and young Roland Rat zenberger perished in one weekend in Italy in 1994. And t..
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Sport: Cricket Rule: Banning of underarm bowling Cause of change: Two words – Greg Chappell. One of the most infamous cricketing incidents, this, but we do thank Chappell for bringing attention yet another absurd thing that was legal in cricket. And again, it was New Zealand who ended up on the losing side. It was 1981 and Australia was playing New Zealand in the third of a five-match One Day series. The Kiwis needed six runs off the final delivery to win when captain Greg instructed his brother Trevor, also the bowler, to bowl the final ball underarm and along the ground. Obviously, the boundary was not cleared and tempers f lew everywhere. The ICC took note and banned underarm bowling as “not within the spirit of the game”.
Sport: CricketRule: Banning of underarm bowlingCause of change: Two words – Greg Chappell. One of the most infamous cricketing incidents, this, but we do thank Chappell for bringing attention yet ano..
