External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar attended the launch of Fearless, the memoir of legendary Indian cricketer Mohinder Amarnath, where he drew thought-provoking parallels between cricket and Indian foreign policy.
Cricket as an Inflection Point
Reflecting on India’s iconic 1983 Cricket World Cup victory, Jaishankar remarked that the event was a transformative moment, not just for Indian cricket but also for the nation’s global perception. He highlighted that India’s win fundamentally shifted its role in world cricket, a shift unparalleled in other cricketing nations’ histories.
Cricket and Foreign Policy: An Analogy
Jaishankar compared the evolution of Indian cricket to the trajectory of India’s foreign policy, noting shared lessons:
- Earning Respect in a Competitive World: He cited an incident from 1983, when Clive Lloyd, captain of the West Indies, demonstrated sportsmanship by declaring a pitch unfit—a sign of respect earned through India’s performance.
- Adaptability and Strategy: The EAM likened foreign policy to cricket rather than chess, emphasizing cricket’s dynamic nature, with changing conditions, multiple players, varying formats, and psychological games.
- Individual Impact: He underscored the significant difference one player—or one leader—can make in shifting outcomes.
India as a Global Player
Jaishankar asserted that modern India is a nation the world wants to engage with—a nation setting standards, testing others’ capabilities, and fostering global business. He quoted cricketing advice from Lala Amarnath (Mohinder Amarnath’s father) as valuable for diplomacy: “Move early, play late, prepare well, anticipate, read the opponent, and then play.”
Insights on Pakistan
In a nod to Amarnath’s cricketing strategies, Jaishankar humorously drew a parallel between India’s policy towards Pakistan in the early 1980s and Amarnath’s adjustment to a more open-chested batting stance, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and resilience.
About Mohinder Amarnath and Fearless
Mohinder Amarnath, son of cricketing icon Lala Amarnath, played a pivotal role in Indian cricket from 1969 to 1989. His achievements include:
- Scoring 4378 Test runs, with nine of his eleven centuries made overseas.
- Being named Man of the Match in both the semi-final and final of the 1983 World Cup.
- Receiving the Arjuna Award and being named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1984.
Amarnath’s memoir, Fearless, offers insights into his remarkable cricketing journey and the mindset that drove his success