Interacted with Anil Kumble last evening, thanks to @onsurity When asked the secret to his longevity and success (18 years in international cricket, 4th highest wicket taker ever), he remarked: “I cut out all the noise - good or bad.” When asked what was he thinking when he came out to bowl with a broken jaw, he remarked: “My shoulder was still working. So I decided to bowl.” When asked how did he manage to score a test hundred in the England tour of 2007 when Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly and Lakshman hadn’t managed to, he remarked: “It took me 116 tests to predict the next ball of the bowler. And that day I got my predictions right.” Seemingly obvious, intuitive, one may call boring answers - coming from a champion. But that’s what makes them champions. Their story is not that of being born with a gift. Instead relentless focus on the boring. Cutting the noise. The praise and the trolling. Showing up everyday. One day at a time. Pro is the amateur that showed up everyday.