Adelaide, Oct 22 (NationPress) Matt Renshaw has embraced a newfound tranquility away from the relentless pursuit of a dream that previously consumed him. With discussions surrounding a potential return for the Ashes, the 29-year-old Australian batsman remains composed — a stark contrast to the nervous young player who once fixated on statistics and selection opportunities.

A revitalized Renshaw, now a father of two, has achieved a harmonious balance in both life and cricket. “Naturally, I aspire to be there; it would be foolish of me to deny that,” he acknowledged ahead of Australia’s second ODI against India in Adelaide. “Yet, I endeavor to distance myself from it as much as I can.”

The left-handed batsman was taken by surprise when he was named in the ODI squad. “I had to search online to find out when and where the matches were set to occur,” he said with a smile. “If I ensure everything else is in order, the cricket will naturally follow.”

Renshaw's evolution is remarkable. The same player who once rushed off the pitch to check others’ performances has now learned to release the need for comparisons. “There were times in my career when I’d finish a Shield match, and given that all Shield games occur simultaneously, I’d be checking the scorecards, watching different names, seeing how they performed,” he reminisced. “Now, after the first Shield match of this season, I couldn’t tell you who made runs in other games.”

He realizes now that another’s achievements do not dictate his path. “Understanding that someone else’s success doesn’t affect my game is liberating,” he stated.

This maturity is rooted in his perspective off the field. “Being a father to a two-year-old girl and a five-month-old boy has become my validation, rather than just seeking a Test recall or measuring my worth by runs scored,” Renshaw reflected. “Often, you feel the pressure to perform, thinking: ‘I need to score runs to secure a place in Australia’s team, to validate my worth.’ When you’re younger, that’s how you see yourself. Now, I return home to change diapers and soothe crying babies.”

He chuckles at how all-consuming cricket once was. “When you’re younger, after a game, you have nothing else to do, so you’re just scrolling on your phone,” he shared. “I have distanced myself. I don’t have the Cricket Australia app, I’ve avoided looking at news, and I’ve hidden cricket-related content on my Instagram.”

Renshaw’s refreshed perspective has led to tangible results — a surge in domestic runs and a recall to the ODI team, keeping him in the Ashes conversation. Yet he dismisses any selection discussions. “I often chat with 12-year-old Matt, and if I told him I was surrounded by 30 journalists, he wouldn’t believe it,” he laughed. “I focus on appreciating the opportunity, rather than thinking, ‘If I score runs, I will earn this chance.’ Just the other night, I felt nervous, and Virat Kohli scored a duck, and he’s regarded as the best player in this format. It’s okay to stumble.”

Having made his debut at 20 in 2016, Renshaw's journey has been anything but straightforward. Yet, through it all, he has gleaned insights from teammates who have battled their way back. “Once you realize that another opportunity may not come, you start to seek advice,” he noted. “I maintain a close relationship with Uzzy (Usman Khawaja). He believed his Test career was over, yet look at him now. I seek his guidance on navigating this phase. It’s astounding; once you relinquish the pressure of playing for Australia, that’s when you find clarity.”

For Renshaw, cricket is no longer his sole identity — and perhaps that’s what makes him a more formidable player now. “Having two kids who play significant roles in my life means I recognize that cricket isn’t my only purpose; it’s everything else,” he concluded. “If I ensure everything else is ordered, cricket will naturally align.”