Real-life '12th Fail' officer Manoj Sharma mentors Mumbai cricket team

Mumbai cricketers recently spent over an hour listening to IPS officer Manoj Sharma and his wife, IRS officer Shraddha Sharma, inside the Wankhede dressing room. The Mumbai Cricket Association arranged this special session shortly before the start of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. MCA president Ajinkya Naik explained that the goal was to introduce players to an inspiring figure from outside the sporting world. He noted that the association organizes off-field activities during the domestic calendar to help players chase their dreams. The officials invited the couple to share advice on overcoming life obstacles and maintaining total commitment to personal goals. Manoj currently serves as the Joint Commissioner of Police for Law and Order in Mumbai, while Shraddha works at Mumbai Customs. Their remarkable life story inspired the hit biographical film '12th Fail'. Several prominent players attended the talk, including team captain Suryakumar Yadav, Sarfaraz Khan, Shardul Thakur, and Musheer Khan. During the interaction, Manoj advised the squad to remain humble following success and keep their focus steady during difficult periods. Musheer Khan shared that hearing the couple speak in person proved deeply motivating after watching their movie. He highlighted Shraddha's message that reaching a major goal requires significant personal sacrifice and hard work.

Context

Sports associations often arrange motivational sessions with military personnel, civil servants, and public figures to help athletes build mental toughness and handle high-pressure environments. Mumbai boasts a rich domestic cricket history and frequently uses creative team-building activities to prepare star-studded squads for upcoming national tournaments.