The India versus West Indies test series kicked off at the Kotla yesterday with the visitors winning the toss and electing to bat first.

The resurgent Caribbean team is packed with some exciting young cricketers. But the one I really looked forward to watching was Darren Bravo. The kid is talented, no doubt. But the most striking feature about Bravo’s batting style is the uncanny resemblance it bears to that of his cousin and idol, Brian Lara’s. His walk to the crease, his bat grip, his stance, his shots… all have the unmistakable Lara stamp!

Have you ever noticed how we consciously or unconsciously start mimicking the person we admire? The brain observes and absorbs the minutest of behavioural nuances of our role model and makes us respond in identical fashion. Therefore, it is no surprise to see a 5 year old girl insisting on wearing lipstick like her mother… a younger brother wanting to excel in the same sport as his older sibling… or a rookie business executive craving to emulate the career path of his CEO.

The important thing we need to understand from this “mimicry phenomenon” is that most of us are either mimicking or being mimicked or doing both at all times. Therefore, we need to be extremely careful in ensuring that we either follow or be responsible role models.