Life is like a Test Match in Cricket

 

India has got off to a great start in the Test Series with England. With a completely young team led by Shubman Gill, these are truly interesting times for Indian cricket. I'm also thrilled to see a return to the traditional format of the game. Test cricket offers an unparalleled opportunity for the sport to be played at its highest level—where talent, temperament, and technique are all tested thoroughly. I also make the case that Golf has always been played over four days, and it is good cricket has evolved to cater to all viewers, but the original form of the game is intended to be the ultimate test of character.

I've always loved the game of cricket, avidly following it until Rahul Dravid retired. Now a new excitement has come with a new team from India. The five-day Test match is the truest test of patience. Believe it or not, even after five intense days, the game can still end in a draw—which can be perplexing to some! This endurance, this ability to sustain effort and focus over an extended period, is what truly captivates me.

To me, the five days a cricketer goes through mirror the five days we all experience during our workweek. We each get five days to show up and perform at our best. The only difference is, while a cricketer may not play Test matches throughout the year—or even across their entire career—we all will likely get 40 years of playing our own test matches, week after week.

With the advent of Twenty20 cricket, the viewership for Test matches has dwindled, but the drama, depth, and sheer grit required in a Test match can never be replaced. The legendary Imran Khan once aptly stated that to succeed in T20s, you need a lot of talent, a little technique, and not much temperament. But in Test matches, he stressed, you need all the T's—in abundance.

The epitome of a Test match player for me is undoubtedly Rahul Dravid. He possessed an abundance of patience, resilience, and an unwavering focus—qualities all of us need as we navigate careers filled with uncertainty and constant change. It's like walking out to bat on a swinging pitch and still trying to play your best game, not just survive. To drive home this idea, I've expanded “TEST MATCH” into an acronym that reflects the essential qualities needed to succeed—both in cricket and in life:

T – Talent

We all have talent. Some are even gifted—but that gift only truly manifests if we put in the work to discover and hone it. While I appreciate the insights from books like Talent is Overrated, I still believe that talent is special. It's something we can tap into through honest self-reflection and exploration. Once we uncover it, we often find our true calling, a domain where we can genuinely excel. Talent may be innate, but it only flourishes and grows with deliberate practice and persistent effort.

As the great Wayne Gretzky famously said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take." Don’t let untapped talent remain hidden—step up, take a chance, and show what you can do.

E – Energy

To play test matches for the better part of your working life, you need high energy—both physical and mental. You have to keep your spirits up despite hostile conditions and tough challenges. Prioritize your physical well-being with consistent exercise, a nutritious diet, and sufficient sleep. Nurture your mind with continuous learning through reading, journaling, and surrounding yourself with uplifting, positive people.

Energy is also profoundly emotional. When you bring enthusiasm and positivity into meetings, projects, or difficult conversations, you lift the entire room, inspiring those around you. As the renowned author and speaker Simon Sinek noted, "Energy is contagious. Either you affect people, or you infect people." Choose to be a positive force.

S – Success

If you're playing any game, you're playing to win. In your professional life, define what success looks like for you every week. Break down larger goals into manageable weekly objectives. If you follow through on your plan for that week, then you've succeeded. It’s that simple, yet defining it clearly is absolutely key.

Success doesn't always have to be a grand milestone—it could be a particularly well-run meeting, a complex problem expertly solved, a challenging conversation handled with grace, or even a small personal win that contributes to your growth. As legendary basketball coach John Wooden put it, "Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

T – Temperament

Rahul Dravid possessed one of the best temperaments in the game. He rarely, if ever, lost his cool or reacted impulsively, even under immense pressure. That's a magnificent model for all of us. If we desire long, satisfying, and impactful careers, we need to cultivate the ability to stay calm and composed, especially when faced with adversity. Not every day will go smoothly—but remember, you’ve got five days in the workweek to navigate it.

Strong temperament enables you to respond thoughtfully, not react instinctively. When others panic or become overwhelmed, those with strong temperament maintain perspective, analyze the situation rationally, and find constructive solutions. As Albert Einstein wisely stated, "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." A calm composed mind is far more likely to identify and seize that opportunity.

M – Mastery

Mastery is a profound, lifelong journey, not a destination. It involves consistently pursuing your highest summits, dedicating yourself to meaningful work, and maintaining an insatiable curiosity. Embrace hobbies that challenge you, like learning a new language or skill. Actively connect with experts in your field, devour their blogs and books, listen to podcasts, and meticulously document what you learn. That dedicated path is the route to true mastery.

The Japanese concept of Kaizen—continuous improvement—serves as a powerful reminder that excellence isn't a singular act, but a consistent habit built through incremental progress. Keep iterating, keep evolving, and never stop learning.

A – Attitude

Your attitude profoundly determines how much you enjoy and succeed in your workweek. If nothing is ever good enough, you'll find yourself constantly dissatisfied. Even cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar have been dismissed for a duck; the key is that they always came back stronger in the next innings. Setbacks are an inherent part of the game of life and career—don't let them define you or dampen your spirit. This is also about the growth mindset that Carol Dweck advocates. We all have the ability to grow and develop our talent.

A positive and resilient attitude makes you adaptable and tough. As the beloved author and speaker Charles Swindoll famously said, "Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." Choose to respond with optimism, determination, and a growth mindset.

T – Technique

Whatever your professional field, expertise and refined technique truly matter. Rahul Dravid once had a flaw in his batting—he often hit straight to fielders. He worked on it relentlessly, analyzing his movements and adjusting his form, ultimately overcoming it to become one of the most reliable batsmen. Good technique leads to consistency, efficiency, and reliability in your output.

Technique is what holds strong under pressure. It's the foundational skill set that allows you to perform at your best, even in challenging situations. Whether it's public speaking, complex coding, innovative design, strategic negotiation, or effective problem-solving—consistent practice and refinement will sharpen your edge and set you apart.

C – Class

To sustain a long, meaningful, and respected career, it's essential to demonstrate class. This encompasses treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy. Simple courtesies like "please" and "thank you" go a long way. Building strong, genuine relationships is the holy grail of professional success. Your conduct and character will often speak far louder and leave a more lasting impression than your credentials alone.

"Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky," said the insightful columnist Ann Landers. Strive to be the kind of professional others genuinely want to collaborate with, learn from, and work alongside again and again.

H – Hours

We all receive the same allocation of 168 hours in a week. Even if you dedicate 50 hours to your work, you still have ample time to pursue health, engaging hobbies, meaningful relationships, and personal growth. The critical element is to use your hours wisely and intentionally. Fill your time with activities that truly energize you, rather than just tasks that exhaust you.

As the eloquent Annie Dillard wrote, "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." Make those hours count—with purpose, intention, and genuine joy.

So yes, life is truly a continuous series of test matches played out every single week. All we can do is show up with our full selves, give our absolute best effort, and remember—there’s always another day, another week, another game, and another opportunity to excel and grow.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and that it provides some valuable perspective for your own "test matches" ahead!

The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization. Thanks for reading.