On World Mental Health Day 2025India, three Indian sport‑figures opened up about the hidden battle behind their trophies, underscoring that mental strength can be the real game‑changer. The conversation was captured by Hindustan Times from its Noida headquarters, Noida, and aired on Friday, October 10, 2025.
Why World Mental Health Day matters for sport
The United Nations‑backed observance, first launched by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992, aims to raise awareness about psychological wellbeing across every walk of life. In India, the day has become a platform for athletes to break the silence that often surrounds performance anxiety, injury fear, and burnout.
For many, the pressure cooker of a high‑stakes tournament feels like a live‑wire; one misstep can cost a career‑defining opportunity. This year's coverage by Hindustan Times pulled together voices from badminton, cricket, and coaching to illustrate how mental resilience is now being woven into training regimens.
Athlete voices on mental resilience
First up was Prannoy H. S., a 32‑year‑old badminton star ranked World No. 10 as of September 2025. "The biggest fear is injury," he told the reporter, noting that the prospect of a setback can hijack an athlete’s confidence before a match even starts.
Cricket’s Shashank Singh, 30, who represents the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, echoed that sentiment. "The biggest challenge is not letting fear of failure control you… mistakes are part of the game," he said, adding that each delivery offers a fresh chance to reset the mind.
Veteran coach Pravin Tambe, 63, who serves as the bowling coach for the Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League, painted a broader picture. With four decades of experience, Tambe highlighted the mental toll of questioning whether years of hard work will ever translate into performance: "Are you going to achieve what you have worked hard for? What if you won’t perform?"
Sports psychology insights
These candid confessions line up with a growing body of research suggesting that psychological safety—knowing you can fail without fearing judgment—boosts both individual and team outcomes. A 2023 study by the Indian Institute of Sports Medicine found that athletes who engaged in regular mental‑skill training reported a 12 % increase in performance consistency.
In practice, this translates to techniques such as mindfulness breathing between points, visualization of successful scenarios, and structured debriefs after each game. Prannoy disclosed that he now spends ten minutes after every practice visualizing a flawless rally, a habit he picked up after a sports psychologist suggested it could “re‑wire” his response to stress.
Shashank’s routine includes a quick “reset” ritual: a deep breath, a fist pump, and a mental cue—"next ball"—that forces his brain to drop the previous mistake. "It’s like hitting the refresh button on your phone," he joked, but the simplicity belies its efficacy.
Beyond the stadium: Wider mental‑health context
The article didn’t stay confined to sports. It linked the athletes’ narratives to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) recommendations that tiny daily habits—like a five‑minute walk or a gratitude journal—can dramatically improve mood. It also referenced a companion piece by therapist Radhika Bhirani, which offered "10 leadership tips to create psychologically safe workspaces" for corporate teams.
Even education was pulled into the conversation. Sasmita Mohanty, Director & Principal of Sanjay Ghodawat International School in Pune, warned that teacher burnout mirrors athlete anxiety: long hours, high expectations, and a fear of not meeting standards.
All of this underscores a simple truth: the mental‑fitness playbook being drafted for athletes is equally relevant for anyone juggling high‑pressure roles.
Looking ahead: Initiatives and expectations
In the wake of the feature, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced a pilot program to embed sports‑psychology modules into the training curricula of ten major academies across the country, starting with the Badminton Association of India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The rollout, slated for early 2026, will fund certified psychologists to work directly with junior athletes.
Meanwhile, Hindustan Times pledged a month‑long series of stories highlighting mental‑health tools for the broader public, ranging from school‑based workshops to corporate wellness webinars.
If these efforts stick, the hope is that the next generation of Indian sportspersons will grow up viewing mental resilience not as an optional extra, but as a core component of their training—much like diet or strength conditioning.
Key facts
- World Mental Health Day 2025 fell on October 10, observed globally.
- Badminton player Prannoy H. S. is World No. 10 as of September 2025.
- Cricketer Shashank Singh has played 47 IPL matches by the end of the 2025 season.
- Coach Pravin Tambe brings 40 years of experience, currently with the Gujarat Giants.
- India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs plans a sports‑psychology curriculum launch in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Indian athletes incorporating mental‑strength training into their routines?
Many are adopting brief mindfulness drills, visualization of successful plays, and structured post‑match debriefs. Badminton world No. 10 Prannoy H. S. now spends ten minutes visualizing flawless rallies after each practice, while cricketer Shashank Singh uses a simple "next ball" cue to reset his focus after every delivery.
What role does the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports plan to play?
The ministry announced a pilot program to embed certified sports‑psychology modules into ten major academies, starting with badminton and cricket bodies. The initiative, set for early 2026, will fund psychologists to work directly with junior athletes, aiming to normalize mental‑fitness training from the grassroots level.
Why is World Mental Health Day highlighted in sports media?
The day offers a global platform to discuss psychological wellbeing, and sports journalists see it as an opportunity to spotlight the often‑overlooked mental pressures athletes face. By tying individual stories to the broader observance, outlets like Hindustan Times can link sports‑specific challenges to wider societal conversations about mental health.
Can the mental‑strength techniques used by athletes help non‑sport professionals?
Absolutely. Techniques like mindful breathing, visualization, and resetting cues are portable across high‑stress environments. Therapist Radhika Bhirani’s accompanying guide for corporate leaders shows how a five‑minute breath break can lower cortisol levels, mirroring the calming effect seen in athletes before a match point.
What impact might these initiatives have on future Indian sporting success?
If mental‑fitness becomes a standard training pillar, India could see more consistent performances, reduced injury‑related withdrawals, and longer careers. Historical data from nations that integrated sports psychology early, such as Australia and the UK, show measurable gains in medal tallies and athlete longevity.
1 Comments
They dont want u to know the govt is pushin sports psych to control our minds and make us docile, a hidden agenda behind the shiny medals.