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By:

Kiran D. Tare

21 August 2024 at 11:23:13 am

The Lady of Lord’s

Yastika Bhatia’s maiden Test century at Lord’s crowns the rise of an elegant wicketkeeper-batter who has quietly become indispensable to India’s new generation. Critics may say that there are flashier cricketers than Yastika Bhatia. She does not possess the raw power of a Smriti Mandhana or the aura of a Harmanpreet Kaur. She rarely dominates highlight reels or social media clips. Instead, she has built her reputation through reliability – a quality far more vital. At a time when white-ball...

The Lady of Lord’s

Yastika Bhatia’s maiden Test century at Lord’s crowns the rise of an elegant wicketkeeper-batter who has quietly become indispensable to India’s new generation. Critics may say that there are flashier cricketers than Yastika Bhatia. She does not possess the raw power of a Smriti Mandhana or the aura of a Harmanpreet Kaur. She rarely dominates highlight reels or social media clips. Instead, she has built her reputation through reliability – a quality far more vital. At a time when white-ball cricket prizes spectacle, the 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has become one of India’s finest practitioners of the understated virtues of timing, patience and composure. Bhatia’s 113 against England which powered the Indian women’s side to a historic win at Lord’s was not merely her maiden Test century but the first ever scored by a woman at cricket’s most celebrated venue. The innings helped India seal a comprehensive 270-run victory in the first women’s Test ever staged at Lord’s. Her hundred earned her a place on the Lord’s honours board, where generations of the game’s greatest names have been immortalised. Few entries have carried quite the same symbolism. Until now, no woman’s name had appeared there for a Test century because no women’s Test had ever been played at the ground. Bhatia’s career has mirrored the evolution of Indian women’s cricket itself. Born in Vadodara, she emerged through Gujarat’s domestic circuit at a time when opportunities for young women were expanding but remained far from abundant. A naturally gifted left-hander, she impressed selectors with a technique that appeared more classical than contemporary. Where modern batting often relies on innovation and improvisation, Bhatia’s game is rooted in balance. She plays late, favours placement over power and rarely appears rushed. Such attributes explain why coaches have long regarded her as especially suited to the demands of Test cricket, even though women are offered precious few opportunities to play the format. Modern wicketkeepers are expected to contribute almost as specialist batters while maintaining relentless concentration over long periods. Bhatia has embraced both responsibilities, becoming an important cog in an Indian side that has steadily shed its dependence on a handful of senior stars. That transformation has accelerated dramatically over the past year. India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup triumph marked a watershed for the sport, confirming that the country's women could finally translate promise into silverware. Although Bhatia missed that campaign after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury shortly before the tournament, her absence perhaps underscored her growing importance. Months of rehabilitation restored her confidence. If the World Cup represented the one that got away, Lord’s offered redemption. Returning to international cricket only recently, Bhatia produced an innings of remarkable maturity against England’s experienced attack. Her 113 came from 158 balls, balancing restraint with authority as India tightened their grip on the match. She admitted that six months earlier, while beginning rehabilitation, the idea of seeing her name on the Lord’s honours board would have seemed implausible. Those who know her were scarcely surprised. Former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More, who has mentored Bhatia, has long spoken of her temperament rather than merely her talent. Scoring a century at Lord’s, he observed, is an ambition shared by virtually every cricketer. Achieving it after months away from the game simply reflected the resilience that had always underpinned her cricket. But hers was not a sentimental century assembled through fortune. It was a technically accomplished performance built on judgement outside off stump, crisp drives through the covers and the patience required by the longest format. It showcased precisely why Test cricket continues to matter. Unlike Twenty20, where brilliance can be compressed into a handful of overs, the five-day game rewards concentration accumulated over hours. For Indian women’s cricket, Bhatia’s century represents something larger than an individual milestone. It demonstrates the increasing depth of a side that is no longer defined solely by its biggest names. New heroes are emerging, backed by stronger domestic structures, better coaching and a professionalism unimaginable a decade ago. The honours board at Lord’s records statistics with characteristic restraint. It simply notes that Yastika Bhatia scored a century. Future generations may glance at the name without appreciating the path that led there. But Indian cricket will remember that the first woman to reach three figures at Lord’s was not merely making history. She was announcing that a new generation has arrived.

The Power of Self-Reliance

The most reliable support system we will ever have is ourselves.

There comes a quiet moment in life—sometimes early, sometimes much later—when one realises a simple but profound truth: the most reliable support system we will ever have is ourselves. People may walk beside us for a while, circumstances may be favourable for a season, and external help may arrive when we least expect it—but none of these are permanent. What remains constant, through every phase of life, is our own mind, our own attitude, and our own ability to respond.


Self-reliance is not about isolation or ego. It is about inner preparedness. It is the ability to stand firm when support is absent, to think clearly when confusion surrounds us, and to move forward even when the path is uncertain. At any age, in any situation, dependency on oneself is far more empowering than dependency on anyone else.


Depending excessively on others—emotionally, financially, mentally, or practically—often gives a false sense of security. People change. Priorities shift. Health fluctuates. Situations evolve. Someone who is available today may not be available tomorrow, not out of intention, but due to life’s unpredictability.


When our happiness, confidence, or survival depends entirely on others, we unknowingly hand over control of our lives. This creates fear—fear of loss, fear of abandonment, and fear of failure. Over time, it weakens decision-making and reduces resilience.


Self-reliance, on the other hand, creates emotional stability. It allows us to face change without panic, disappointment without collapse, and uncertainty without paralysis.


True independence does not begin with money or skills—it begins in the mind. Training the mind to be self-reliant means cultivating:

• Confidence in one’s ability to learn

• Trust in one’s judgement

• Emotional regulation during stress

• Willingness to take responsibility for outcomes


A self-reliant mind does not wait for rescue. It asks, “What can I do with what I have right now?” This mindset transforms problems into challenges and fear into preparation.


Mental self-reliance also means accepting that mistakes are part of growth. Instead of blaming circumstances or people, a self-reliant person reflects, adapts, and improves. Over time, this builds quiet strength and inner maturity.


Emotional Self-Reliance

One of the most powerful forms of self-reliance is emotional independence. This does not mean avoiding relationships or emotions—it means not collapsing when emotions fluctuate.


When we train ourselves to manage disappointment, rejection, loneliness, or uncertainty, we stop seeking constant validation from others. We learn to soothe ourselves, motivate ourselves, and reassure ourselves.


This inner stability allows relationships to be healthier. When we are emotionally self-reliant, we choose relationships out of connection, not need; out of love, not fear. Such relationships are stronger, more balanced, and more respectful.


Practical Self-Reliance

Life does not always give warnings. Health issues, financial shifts, family responsibilities, or unexpected changes can arrive without notice. Self-reliance equips us to handle these realities practically and systematically. This includes:

• Learning basic life skills

• Managing finances wisely

• Being adaptable to change

• Continuously upgrading knowledge and skills


Preparation does not create anxiety—it creates confidence. When we prepare ourselves to handle multiple scenarios, life feels less overwhelming. Decisions become clearer. Actions become more deliberate. The mind responds naturally instead of reactively.


Self-Reliance at Every Age

Self-reliance is not age-specific. It evolves with time. In youth, it builds confidence and courage. In adulthood, it creates stability and leadership. In later years, it preserves dignity and independence.


At every stage, the goal is not to reject help but to never be helpless. Even when assistance is available, a self-reliant person knows how to stand independently if needed.


The beauty of training oneself to be self-reliant is that, over time, it becomes natural and organic. Decision-making sharpens. Emotional responses mature. Preparedness becomes instinctive. Life no longer feels chaotic—it feels navigable.


Challenges still arise, but they no longer intimidate. The mind learns to pause, assess, and act. This inner discipline creates calm confidence and a sense of quiet power.


Self-Reliance Is Freedom

Ultimately, self-reliance is freedom—the freedom to live without constant fear, the freedom to choose rather than depend, and the freedom to stand strong even when alone. It does not mean we stop trusting others; it means we trust ourselves first.


When you rely on yourself, you become your own anchor. And when you are anchored within, no storm can uproot you completely.


At any age, in any situation, learning to depend on oneself is not just wise—it is life’s greatest preparation.

(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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