The Coronavirus pandemic has forced the entire world to change its outlook towards life in general. While weddings, events, sporting tournaments and day-to-day activities have all been affected due to COVID-19, Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri has shared some valuable lessons learnt from this catastrophic situation.
“It is unusual, yes, but these are also extraordinary times,” Shastri was quoted as saying by Firstpost. “Not a shot has been fired, not a bullet discharged, not a stone thrown. Not one of the high-tech weapons in the arsenal of several nations has been used. And yet, the whole world has been paralysed by a tiny but deadly virus.”
Shastri stressed upon the fickle nature of life that could take a drastic turn at any moment, leaving people unprepared. Such has been the impact of the Coronavirus – which has not just driven many to extreme poverty but also ended the lives of thousands across the world. The veteran cricket coach, hence, advised everyone to enjoy life while it lasts.
“It just goes to reiterate, again, that nothing is permanent in life. It’s unfortunate if you need a tragedy of this magnitude to drive that point home. But sometimes, the most valuable lessons in life come in the harshest, most unexpected and unimaginable ways. It again reminds you that you must enjoy life while it lasts, enjoy it to the fullest, be thankful for what you have and never take anything for granted,” he added.
The Indian cricket team also escaped a possible catastrophe as they returned from New Zealand just in time, before the COVID-19 pandemic had started to strengthen its grip across the world. The spread of the disease in India started through those coming in from Europe and the USA. Shastri also feels that the Indian cricket team could’ve been affected by the disease had the series ended a few days later.
“I suppose you could say we were all fortunate, we dodged a mighty big bullet by making it back home in time,” he asserted.
Shastri, like virtually everyone else, has been spending time indoors during this period. When asked about his social life, the former India all-rounder said that it is not something in control at the moment.
“What’s the point of thinking about something that’s not in your control?” he asks. “The lockdown will be lifted once the authorities are convinced it is safe for people to venture out again. Whether that is next week or next month is not up to us.
“These last few weeks have been an eye-opener, to be honest,” he continues. “It has given every one of us the time to look back and introspect, see where we are at in our lives. The best-laid plans have also come to a naught. People might have planned for six months ahead, for six years down the line, and we are in a situation where we don’t know what will happen six days from now. I feel that if anything, it vindicates the philosophy I have adopted from a very young age – live in the present, live for the present, give everything you have today and don’t hold back. That’s how I played my cricket, that’s how I have lived my life. If you commit yourself to whatever you do today, you will have no regrets tomorrow,” he further stressed.
