Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri are among the 14 past and present Indian cricketers interviewed by Australian sports psychologist Sandy Gordon who has now come out with a workbook outlining the characteristics that define tough Indian players.
Gordon, who worked with the Indian team during the 2003 World Cup, has prepared a 24-point mental toughness "inventory" and a 46-page workbook, according to a report in the Australian daily Sydney Morning Herald.
"After the World Cup I was approached and I think the feeling in India was that they wanted to improve their mental toughness. This is the best investment India can make in shaping their athletes," Gordon was quoted as saying by the daily.
"They didn't ask me to tell them what Australia does specifically. It was more of an acknowledgement that it is an area they can improve on."
"I think all countries look to Australian teams in awe of their mental toughness and how they're so consistent. Australian bloody-mindedness is something that is coveted throughout the world; it's the perfect frame of mind to play competitive sport," Gordon added.
The Perth-based psychologist said Cricket Australia is concerned by issues of players' burn-out and the emotional toll of maintaining the national team's dominance.
"Players are under a tremendous amount of pressure to suppress certain emotions ... it takes its toll on the Australian team," Gordon said.
"Australians aren't lacking mental toughness but, if not properly managed, burn-out can be just around the corner," he felt.
"The current batch of players are under amazing physical and emotional pressure to sustain this level of excellence."
Over time, Gordon has noted several key differences between the approaches adopted by players from each nation.
He said Australians are predisposed to deal with and responding to adversity, what he terms the "get over it" mantra.
"But that's not always evident in other cultures," he said.
Gordon has the distinction of helping the Indian team to reach the final of the World Cup in 2003 by devising for it the "Now or never" motto. He was also associated with the Australian cricket team during the 1999 World Cup and had given them the slogan "No regrets".
