I genuinely thought after my injury, I’ll be motivated as ever to be the best version of myself.

The human mind however functions very differently, it’s a creature of habit.

The last 3-4 months, barring basic physiotherapy, I’ve not been able to stay close to my routine.

What was my routine like?

Couple of times a week football, couple of times nets, minimum one competitive cricket game a week.

With all of that taken away, my current routine looks something like:

Couple of times a week chill at home with the family, couple of times a week I watch some Netflix, couple of times a week just sit on my couch and think about life.

The lack of movement has now made me far lazier than I ever imagined being. Goes without saying, it led to a drastic downfall in my self esteem, the way I looked at myself, how I felt etc. A huge chunk of my identity was taken away from me, which was sports.

After going through a full fledged injury, this how the different stages looked, for me.

Stage 1:

Denial

Stage 2:

Anger

Stage 3:

Anxiety

Stage 4:

Faith

Stage 5:

Motivation

Stage 6:

Action

I was somewhere around this stage where I got stuck.

I was super active with my physio for a good amount of time and then with a break in routine, there was a break in my commitment too.

Which is when I reached stage 7.

Stage 7:

Complacency

I’m still somewhere in the middle of this phase. Absolutely lazy to do anything.

I knew I have to change, and despite making tons of excel sheets and imaginary routines of waking up at 5 am and training till 8 am, nothing ended up happening.

I decided that the only way I can get back on track is if I start with the basics. Things I love doing.

It was clear to me, I had to bat again.

Last week was my first net session back after my injury, I can’t express the nervousness and excitement that went across my mind.

That first moment where the leather met willow. The moment I've been dreaming of. The 171 Day wait.

I did this with a couple of my close mates, Anuraag and Deba, Cannot thank them enough for bowling to me for an hour straight. Poetically, we were having the net session at the same location I broke my leg, which also happens to be my school ground. A lot of emotions were flowing.

I made a video to capture the experience of going back to the place I got injured and getting back to sport, if you'd like to watch, the link is below.

The hope was that the net session got me to Stage 8.

What’s stage 8?

P.S. So many people to thank to bring me to this moment.

My family, my friends, my colleagues, all the doctors, physios, support staff at home, support staff at the hospital. I am thankful to each and everyone of you to get me to this point.