From SCG to UPSC: Lessons in Letting Go of Comfort !

What’s more satisfying than watching a cover drive from Virat Kohli?

The sheer elegance, the picture-perfect body language, and the grace—it gives us an adrenaline rush like no other. However, the same iconic shot has troubled him in the later phase of his Test career.

We all know Virat Kohli’s love affair with balls pitched outside off. This persistent weakness has haunted him toward the twilight of his red-ball journey. Having played that shot over ten thousand times, it has almost become muscle memory. And as we know, breaking muscle memory is no easy feat.

As a die-hard Virat Kohli fan who admires his unmatched dedication and discipline, I genuinely wanted him to overcome this weakness and show the world why he’s called the GOAT. Unfortunately, we never quite saw that full-circle moment.

Some even associate me with RCB fandom because of my admiration for Kohli. But I always say,

“Before Virat Kohli, there was one… The GOD.”

Sachin Tendulkar.

And yes, I am a Mumbai Indians fan.

Sachin—The Master Blaster.

His cover drives gave a high to billions. Yet ironically, the same outside-off delivery troubled even the GOD. Before his iconic Sydney innings during the 2003–04 Australia tour, he had gone 13 innings without a Test century. Everyone knew his Achilles’ heel.

But when Sachin walked out at the SCG, he was a man on a mission. For the next 613 minutes and 436 balls, he did not play a single cover drive.

The result?

241 not out—his highest Test score.

Australian pacers and even the great Steve Waugh tried everything to lure him into playing that shot. But Sachin resisted.

“We had been getting him out edging to the cordon in the previous Tests. And he didn’t play the cover drive at all in the final Test. To me, that showed incredible fortitude, mental strength, and discipline,” said Waugh.

So, what can UPSC aspirants learn from this epic innings?

Many aspirants cling to their comfort zones—just like cricketers who keep playing their favorite shots despite repeated failures.

Some rely on rote memorization. Others chase perfect notes. Many continue using the same techniques they used in college. But UPSC is a different ball game.

When it comes to Mains, you must write answers even when you don’t have solid content. Instead of attempting such questions during practice, many aspirants avoid them. But this avoidance only delays growth. It doesn’t build skills—it reinforces old habits. And that leads to poor results.

The mistake repeats in Prelims as well.Aspirants attempt only the questions they “know.”This works in sectional tests, but in a full-length test, the unpredictability hits hard—and many are caught off guard.

Are you stuck in your comfort zone?

Here are some signs:

• Taking test series online, even when offline options are available
• Watching recorded lectures instead of attending live/offline classes.
• Preparing your own notes even when standard books already exist.
• Sticking to one learning method, even if it’s clearly not working.
• Ignoring mentors’ advice because it requires uncomfortable changes.
• Using the same strategy even if it is not working ( Prelims and Mains.)
• Refusing to limit resources, constantly searching for “the perfect” material.

So what should you do? What did Sachin teach us?

When the situation demands—change your game.

Forget your ego. Focus on the ultimate goal. Do what needs to be done.

When Sachin was troubled by a tennis elbow, he adapted his batting style. He evolved. Yet, he remained the best. That’s what makes him a legend.

And the same is true for UPSC.

Stepping into one of the world’s toughest exams requires fundamental transformation.Some students identify this early and adapt.Others never do—and keep repeating the same patterns, hoping for a miracle.

UPSC Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test aren’t just exams.

They’re a mirror of your mindset and adaptability.

If you continue to live and prepare within your comfort zone, it will reflect in your results.

So, dear aspirants:

Step out of your comfort zone.

Face the mirror. Face the challenge.

Be flexible. Be disciplined. Be adaptable.

And most importantly—be honest with yourself.

Legends aren’t made by staying comfortable.

They’re made by doing what’s necessary, when it’s hardest to do.

If Sachin could leave behind his favorite shot for 613 minutes, you can change your habits for your dream.

UPSC is all about self-awareness.

Identify your character. Recognize your strengths and flaws.

Use your strengths wisely—and if needed, work on your flaws.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it happens gradually.

What truly matters is that you put in the effort—

Because that effort is just as important as learning any topic.

If you’re scared of answer writing, then face it—write more answers.

If you’re stuck with no solid content, write with what you have.

If you’re afraid to attempt more questions in Prelims, learn to take calculated risks.

    Practice more. Fail. Learn. Improve.    

If your methods are not working, accept it.

Be honest with yourself—maybe they need to change.

In a nutshell:

Break the barrier if needed. Step out of the shell you’re in.

Growth begins where comfort ends.

The journey to UPSC success is not just about knowledge—

It’s about character, courage, and continuous evolution.