In the case of Dinesh Karthik, something similar happened. Perhaps an 'inner voice' has finally reminded him of his wonderful abilities.
Maybe, that is why it took him so long to churn out what was a truly exceptional, 48-ball 86, a knock that destroyed Delhi Daredevils, at the Wankhede, on Tuesday.
So good was the Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper bat, that even the gifted Rohit Sharma was reduced to playing second fiddle. Karthik pulled, drove and cut the DD bowling to shreds.
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell, during his days as India coach, had marked Karthik out as a potential Indian captain. Perhaps he saw what few others could.
Having stroked 60 @ 37 in the previous two games, Karthik now holds the Orange Cap for being the top-run-scorer having scored 183 in three games@61 and a superb strike rate of 166.36.
It has helped that MI have trusted him to bat at No. 3. "I like batting there. It gives me the opportunity to play in the power play. It is important that when a team like MI gives you the opportunity at the top, you have got to put their faith back in them and show some effort and get runs," Karthik said on Tuesday.
One man who particularly relished Karthik's 'super show' on Tuesday was his former India opening partner, Wasim Jaffer. The veteran Mumbai batsman had Karthik for company at the top during India's 2007 tour to England.
It wasn't a high-profile pair, but critically, it provided India with just the kind of starts they needed for their star-studded middle-order to take charge.
At Nottingham, their 147-run stand in the first innings was instrumental in India logging a rare overseas series win. Karthik scored 77 of those runs.
"Some of his shots were phenomenal. The bowling was as good as an international attack...but I have seen him mesmerise bowlers in First Class cricket," Jaffer told TOI on Wednesday.
"He is an extremely talented batsman but he has underachieved. When you are playing too much cricket, you don't realise where you are going wrong. The time out of the Indian team has taught him a lesson. Sometimes, you learn a lot more about your game when you are dropped. He is hyperactive and such people tend to make mistakes. He seems to have practised hard and the results are showing," the 35-year-old remarked.
Clearly, the way he is batting currently, Karthik is in with a hot chance to make it to the Champions Trophy squad.
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