The Courage to Face Challenges

into a tree, or a reservoir that never stirs into waves strong enough to cause a storm. But when danger appears, when life is threatened by risk, a person’s hidden potential awakens. The pressure of circumstances forces him to act, to draw on every ounce of strength. Every person has great potential, but it remains dormant until activated by challenge. To awaken it, there’s only one way: they must face danger. A life of comfort may seem peaceful, but its high cost is an incomplete character. Such a person never attains the heights he could have reached. On January 6, 1990, newspapers reported the surprising news that Mohammad Azharuddin had been unanimously appointed captain of the Indian national cricket team. He would lead the team on its tour of New Zealand. Many expected the position to go to Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who had recently captained India in the Sharjah Cup, the Nehru Cup, and the Pakistan tour. At just 27, the Hyderabadi batsman—often called the “wonder boy” of Indian cricket—became the second youngest Indian captain, after Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who took on the role at 21. What lifted Azharuddin to such heights was his ability to face challenges without losing heart and to emerge stronger. In