sourav ganguly

Indians are “more tolerant” of dealing with mental health issues than cricketers in countries such as England and Australia, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said Tuesday, acknowledging the challenge that strict biosecurity environments pose for Indians. players.

Since international cricket resumed, players have been forced to stay in biobubbles, where their lives are limited to hotels and stadiums.

They don’t have access to people outside the bubble, making it extremely difficult for players to stay fresh and motivated.

“I feel that we Indians are a little more tolerant than cricketers abroad. I have played with many English, Australian, West Indian, they just give up on mental health, “said the former captain of India at a virtual promotional event here.

“In the last six or seven months, with so much cricket in the bio-bubble, it’s very difficult. Just going from the hotel room to the floor, managing the pressure, and back in the room and then back on the floor again, it’s a completely different life. “

Ganguly also cited the example of the Australian cricket team who withdrew from their South African tour following their loss to India at home.

Australia was scheduled for a three-test tour in March-April, but they withdrew citing an “unacceptable level of risk to the health and safety of players, support staff and the community.”

“Look at the Australian team, they were supposed to go to South Africa for a series of tests after India played there. They refused to go there …

“And there is always this COVID scare. ‘I hope it’s not me next time.’ You have to stay positive, you have to train mentally. We all have to train ourselves mentally for the good to happen. It all comes down to training, ”Ganguly said.

The former India captain further recalled the biggest setback in his career when he was stripped of his captaincy in 2005 and was eventually retired, but only to make a splendid comeback.

“You just have to deal with it. It’s the mindset you get into. Life has no guarantees, be it in sports, business or whatever. You go through ups and downs. You just have to bite the bullet. Pressure is something very important in everyone’s life.

We all go through different pressures.

“When you play your first test, it is the pressure to settle down and let the world know that you belong at this level.

“And when you get to that level after playing a lot of games, it’s about keeping the performances going. A little blip and it doesn’t stop people from scrutinizing you and that adds to the athletes a lot, ”he added.

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