How Rahul Dravid’s words changed Ankit Bawne’s perception about life and cricket

Like every other Indian cricketer, Ankit Bawne, too, dreamed of donning the national cap, when he started his domestic cricket career. But 19 years and 8327 First-class runs later, the Maharashtra batter has made peace with the fact that he may not break into the Indian team. But that doesn’t stop him from piling up runs, year after year.

Overcoming a slump in form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, the 33-year-old bounced back in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 154 runs in three innings, and hopes to keep the momentum going against Mumbai on Saturday.

“Every year, I come with the same excitement to score runs and win games,” he told Sportstar. “I like batting, I like winning games for my State, and that gives me happiness. So, I don’t complicate things, in terms of where to reach, where to go, what’s my destiny. I just keep playing…”

A few years ago, while leading India A, Bawne had a long conversation with the then coach Rahul Dravid, which changed his perception about life and, of course, the game. “Rahul sir told me that there’s a cut-throat competition anyway, and if you put yourself in that race, neither can you enjoy life, nor cricket. And, that’s when my whole perception changed,” he said.

“I took Rahul sir’s words seriously, and that’s why I have been able to score runs every season, because I am mentally sorted. If I still think about the should or would have been, I wouldn’t be able to do anything. So, it’s important to be realistic and understand that there’s a life beyond cricket as well…”

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In his long career, the seasoned batter has had stints with India A, West Zone and also Delhi Daredevils – but all those experiences have taught him that it is important to stay in the present. “The match ends at 5 o’clock. And, that’s when one should switch off. If I keep being stressed about my game and what would happen, I will never be able to be happy. So, the goal is to be happy. And, cricket gives me that happiness,” he said. “I have to give more years to cricket. I have to do well, and my aim is to win a Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra, which has never happened in so many years…”

Having played more than 300 matches in his career, across formats, Bawne set himself a target a few years ago, as he decided to focus on his diet. That, he believes, has helped. “I don’t leave my fitness routine. I am very strict about my diet, I don’t like to eat junk food. So, I basically have a high-protein, low-carb diet to maintain myself,” he said, adding with a smile: “I think it has become a part of my lifestyle, I want to do it even when I am not playing…”

Over the years, cricket has taken him places, and with that the distance with his family has grown wider. And keeping that in mind, a few years ago, Bawne decided to spend more time with his parents, and be around them in Pune. That, according to him, has helped immensely.

“I am a single child. I have been playing Ranji Trophy since I was 14, so over the last 20 odd years, I never got to spend time with my family. With cricket comes endless travelling – today you are in Chennai, tomorrow in Dhaka, day after somewhere else, and you are away from home for months,” he said.

“So, I rarely got time with my parents. As their son, it is my responsibility to give them happiness. So, I thought I was being unfair to them, so I consciously decided to be around them, and I can see them being so happy. Over the last few years, I have become very close to my family… When we play in Pune, I go to the venue from home, and again come back at the end of the day, rather than going to a hotel…”

And as Bawne points out, there is more to life beyond scores and statistics. And, that’s why, he believes in switching off after the day’s play. That time is for the family and for Bawne to rewind and start afresh.

Published on Jan 01, 2026