Ahead of the fourth Test match between India and Australia at HPCA, Dharamsala, Steve Smith and company sought the blessings of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at his McLeod Ganj monastery on March 24. It turned out to be a perfect opportunity for the visitors to feel enlightened and calm & composed just before the high voltage drama between the two teams on the ground.
Australian skipper Steve Smith seemed to have cashed this meeting the most. He revealed that he had asked the Dalai Lama about how to get a peaceful sleep during a high-pressure Test match. Smith has long been suffering by bouts of insomnia and so far, has struggled to manage only a few hours of sleep every evening.
Dalai Lama giving success mantras to Australian team
(Photo: Twitter)
Smith said, “We rubbed our noses together and he gave me some blessings, so hopefully it will help me with my sleep over the next five days.” “It was a great experience for all of us,” he further added.
In Tibetan culture, it is a one of a kind greeting to rub the noses together.
Dalai Lama giving success mantras to Australian team
(Photo: Twitter)
Asked what the team can take from the meeting, the Australian skipper said “Probably relaxes a little bit. He is all about compassion and fondness for each and every human being. It was nice to hear from someone as prestigious as the Dalai Lama.”
Dalai Lama with Australian Cricket team (Photo: Twitter)
Interestingly, the meeting with the Dalai Lama seemed to have worked for David Warner, as he scored his first half-century in Border-Gavaskar Test Series after a rather disappointing run in the previous three Tests.
