All champions have attitude. It is an integral ingredient of success. It finds expression in different ways depending on the personality of the individual concerned.

In Virat Kohli it is in your face, bold and brash; in Rahul Dravid it comes across as more civilised, but — make no mistake — not recognising the iron fist beneath the velvet glove would be foolish indeed.


Sania Mirza. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi  

Sania Mirza's attitude is like a high-powered shell, catching you square between the eyes. I first experienced it in living colour when we happened to share a stage along with the actor Govinda and a couple of others at an event many years ago when she started making waves as the great Indian hope in singles. We were being interviewed by some of the press contingent before going on stage.