Well left

One of my mentors asked me this question when I was talking to him about test cricket, “Which is the best and the most productive shot for a batsman?”

I told him it is either the straight drive or the cover drive, to which he replied “It is well left!” I was confused, there are so many glorious drives that can be played against a bowler but why should I consider a batsmen leaving a ball to pass through as the best shot.

He carried on, “The batsmen and bowlers are testing each other as if it is a battlefield. The batsmen have only one chance, there is no way for a bowler to get out which gives the degree of freedom to attack the batsmen at will without worrying too much about continuing to play. The batsmen on the other hand takes a risk whenever they try a counter attack, if a batsman gets it wrong and gets out he is no longer in the game. So batsmen have to choose which ones to counter attack based on judgement, if ego comes into play and he tries to launch a counter attack he may soon get out. Leaving a menacing delivery untouched tires the bowler and gives the batsmen one more chance to bat.”

He did not stop there, he told me it is very similar at the workplace. “You will always be surrounded by people who is trying to pull you down not on merit but through politics. They will put a great deal of energy in trying to disrupt your rhythm and if you retaliate then it is too easy to get into the ever spiralling politics. The best move there is WELL LEFT!”

How true, that was the greatest piece of advice. I learnt to choose my battles to fight at my workplace. It has given me a peaceful outlook.