Playing a straight bat under pressure: ‘Damn the Odds’ with Pratika Rawal
April 9, 2026
From handling pressure on the pitch to making decisions under fire, cricket’s toughest lessons to leadership in action
SPJIMR recently welcomed Brut India for an exclusive on-campus shoot of its series, ‘Damn the Odds’. The highlight was an engaging, high-energy interaction between PGPM participants and Indian cricketer Pratika Rawal, offering a rare, candid look into the mindset behind performance at the highest level.
The session felt like stepping into a live dressing room conversation where resilience, discipline, and decision-making under pressure took centre stage.
Inside the session: grit, pressure, and performance
Pratika’s interaction went beyond recounting milestones; it unpacked the realities of competing, failing, and returning stronger. Through an open dialogue, she connected the dots between elite sport and leadership.
For future leaders, key insights emerged:
- Facing the odds head-on: Pratika spoke about her personal journey of building resilience and facing challenges head-on in professional cricket.
- Mental toughness under pressure: Participants explored how to remain composed when the stakes are high, pressure is high, and outcomes are uncertain.
- Focus on controllables: A common theme was the importance of directing energy towards what one can influence, an aspect relevant in business and on the field.
What stood out was the immediacy of the interaction. Students were not just passive listeners; they engaged directly with Pratika, drawing parallels between sport and their own professional journeys.
A student’s perspective
Sahil Talathi, PGPM 2027 participant, reflected: “The session was a great learning experience beyond just a media interaction. We could relate many aspects of cricket to real-life situations. It highlighted the importance of maintaining the right attitude on and off the field. On the field, focus and composure matter, while off the field, consistency and discipline shape growth.
A key takeaway was the role of mental strength during challenging phases, such as injuries. It emphasised resilience, patience, and the need to keep believing in oneself. The idea of focusing only on controllables stood out strongly. This approach helps in handling pressure and uncertainty effectively. The interaction encouraged us to stay committed and passionate about our goals. Overall, it was an inspiring and practically relevant experience.”
From pitch to practice
The session underscored a simple but powerful idea: the qualities that define success in sport—grit, clarity, and resilience—are the same ones that shape effective leadership.
By bringing conversations like these to campus, SPJIMR continues to create spaces and unique platforms where students engage directly with practitioners who have performed at the highest levels, translating lessons from the field into insights for life and leadership.