Some of the greatest narratives in sports are about comebacks. The kind that script history. The kind that begins with a setback, a breakdown and crumbling into pieces, but ends like a phoenix rising from the ashes. We are fascinated by the milestones achieved overnight, by the star studded victories and glamour surrounding it, perhaps what we don’t see are the raw emotions and breakdowns that players go through every single day, every single night, making sense of their experiences and rising from them like Phoenixes. 

On Thursday, not just India, but the World witnessed one of the greatest knockout matches in the history of Women’s Cricket. India has witnessed such a scene several times.  A fierce run chase. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur performing a rescue deed. Falling of wickets, hinting at the possibility of an upset in a knockout game versus Australia.  Only this time, the climax brought tears to the eyes of 1.46 billion Indians.

As Jemimah sealed the win with a boundary in the semi-finals, the entire team ran towards the two batters at the speed of the light, Jemi lay on the ground surrendering to win, surrounded by her team, with fans roaring in the background. We have seen many such historic wins in the history of sports, but this win was different for the Indians. “I have cried almost every day of this tour. I was not doing well mentally. Going through a lot of anxiety. Getting dropped was another challenge…” Jemimah tells the reporters through her sobs and tears of joy, as she receives her player of the match award. This is the first time we witnessed Indian players be so vulnerable and authentic in speaking about their mental health as the World watches. In the following press conference, Jemi highlights the role of the support system in helping the players overcome their fear and states that “It is okay to ask for help”… something that most Indian players still struggle with. In another press conference Harmanpreet Kaur also addresses her vulnerable emotional side, putting out the message that it is okay to talk about such things, be it on a world platform. 

This, in my opinion, marks a new beginning for Indian sports, where players openly address their mental states and the hardships that they go through, normalizing them as a part of the journey. Mental health of players becomes a crucial factor in sports, as every single day the players are out there pushing themselves for the greater good. There are various pressures that an athlete has to undergo and overcome, in and outside sports, some controllable, some uncontrollable, with some days that might just feel heavier than the others, days where the dreams seem very far from reach. Mental health in Indian sports is improving as players talk about burnout and anxiety, and organisations are starting to address the issue. However, considerable problems remain, including a historical stigma around mental health, an often-ignored sporting culture, and a gap between rising awareness and the availability of competent help. The strong pressure that players suffer, the need for more assistance, and the role of Sports Psychology, which is still in its early stages in India, are all major challenges.

The role of a Sports Psychologist becomes very crucial in removing the stigma around players’ mental health, as well as in helping players overcome any barriers that they may be experiencing. It is important to understand that Sports Psychologists play a dual role when they work with the players and the teams: taking care of player’s mental health along with helping them in performance enhancement. Hence it is also crucial that they accompany them especially during big events. The role that Sports Psychologists play while travelling with the team is:

  • Observe and provide immediate intervention to manage stress, anxiety, choking etc.
  • Manage the player’s emotional upheaval at the time of games/matches
  • Help them come out of their comfort zones and go fearless into challenges
  • Work on team bonding and creating unity on and off the field
  • Reframe setbacks into challenges to help players bounce back
  • Back each other in both positive and negative situations
  • Provide psychological safety to players by creating environments that offer safe space for them to feel accepted under any circumstance and express their concerns freely. 
  • Help the team and support staff in team bonding and building internal culture that is conducive to the team goals. 
  • Teaching  various mental training techniques like self-talk, visualisation, breathwork etc. 

It is imperative to understand that these interventions practiced by Sports Psychologists are scientific, each intervention tailored to fit the needs of the players and that of the team. Changes don’t happen in a day, it is a process that unfolds gradually. The results that we see in the players are a consequence of work that goes on for days, months, even years. Although mental health still remains a challenge for players in India, it is hopeful beginning where players at the top are beginning to open up more about the challenges faced by them, creating a safe for younger, grass root players to acknowledge and accept their concerns and seek help for the same whenever required, without having the fear of being judged or stigmatised.