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| Dr Rudi Webster |
Calcutta: Dr Rudi Webster has pulled off a coup: He’s interviewed India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former captain Rahul Dravid and senior pro V.V.S. Laxman for his latest book, Think Like A Champion.
Dr Webster, who has worked with some of the biggest names in sport, from Sir Vivian Richards to Greg Norman to Brian Lara, is now with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The book, incidentally, is ready to be released and he’s “hoping” that the publisher does so during IPL-V.
“My book has a lot to do with common sense in cricket... The common sense approach,” Dr Webster, who is more than a sports psychologist, told The Telegraph.
He said he felt “honoured” when Dhoni, Dravid (who has since retired) and Laxman gave him time during the last Test series in the West Indies, in June-July 2011.
Sir Garry Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee have also been interviewed in the book.
According to Dr Webster, who once opened the attack for Warwickshire, Dhoni, Dravid and Laxman have spoken about “self-confidence, motivation, concentration and, of course, the Indian team.”
“They’ve been fascinating,” he observed.
For the benefit of our readers, Dr Webster listed some of the thoughts expressed by Dhoni, Dravid and Laxman.
Here goes:
DHONI: People talk a lot about pressure (at the international level), but it’s not pressure... I see it as an opportunity to do something for my country... How can it be pressure when God has given me the chance to serve my team and my country?
DRAVID: It’s important to enjoy the game and enjoy the journey... It’s not only about success, but you should be enjoying every day... A batsman should enjoy the feel of the bat hitting the ball... You’ve got to enjoy the nets too, when nobody is watching you, except your teammates.
LAXMAN: Youngsters should be made to read the life stories of such greats as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela... They’ll learn that success isn’t a cake walk and, to be successful, you need to overcome tremendous obstacles.
Dr Webster has already authored the highly-acclaimed Winning Ways.
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