Before the first Test match against Bangladesh, there was a public debate between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, the two who had been at loggerheads several times during the IPL season. Rumours of a feud between the two were put to rest, and they also reminisced about their memorable pasts. They talked about how they overcame difficult situations and how they got famous hits, especially in Test cricket, thanks to the intervention of the heavens.
The Napier Epic of Gambhir by Hanuman Chalisa
Gautam Gambhir’s legendary century in the 2009 Napier Test match against New Zealand is a testament to his determination and perseverance. After New Zealand amassed a huge total in the first innings, Gambhir faced the daunting task of reviving the team from defeat. He batted for almost two and a half days, scoring 137 runs off 436 balls.
“Looking back, I wonder if I could have batted for another two and a half days? I don’t think I could have done that again. But all I did during those two and a half days was listen to Hanuman Chalisa.”
“It’s a sacred thing to be in that zone. Only you get to experience it. I remember when I was batting on the fifth day in Napier, on the way back from the first session, Laxman said, ‘Do you know that I didn’t say anything for two hours, even under the covers?’
“And then I realised I wasn’t. Between overs, I would just nod. When I came back, all I did was put on the Hanuman Khalisha and came back to my domain. For two and a half days, I was in a complete daze,” Gambhir added.
Here are the names of Indian cricketers who made it to the top 10 most mentioned accounts on X:
Kohli’s ‘Om Namah Shivay’ chant strengthens Australia’s dominance
Similarly, Virat Kohli’s outstanding performance in the 2014 Test series in Australia can be seen as an example of how spirituality can enhance physical performance. In that series, Kohli amassed a remarkable 692 runs, including four hundreds. He claimed that his chanting of “Om Namah Shivay” before every delivery he faced contributed to his success.
Gambhir recalled what Kohli had said about practicing mantras during the conversation. “I remember when we had a huge series in Australia and we scored a ton of runs, he said that before every bowl he would keep chanting ‘Om Namah Shivayi’ and that would get you in the zone. I did the same when I played in Napier,” Gambhir said.
Follow and get all the latest news on cricket matches. Cricadium ~ in WhatsApp, Facebook, twitter, telegram, and Instagram.
