Will i get the prestigious blue cap?This is the question everyone puts forward when they call me.After the news channels published it, my phone has been ringing continuously with my friends and admirers calls. Everyone wants to know my odds against other new comers. Who will be dropped? chathan asked
I have been waiting for this moment for the past 5-6 yrs. i would say that i am at the zenith of happiness. My parents especially my mom who used to scold me for the same thing is now giving me " Ladu ".
But SHE never called. Instead i did call her.
"Did u hear anything" I asked
" What " she asked
" That i got selected into the indian cricket team"
" Yeah, i know. its obvious and dont come to my house after playing in the scorching sun for many days for u will look like a dark wretched crow. Already u hav become so dark that its difficult to find u even in broad daylight. Dont create a bad impression for my parents."
" Thank you " I got what i badly needed
" Dont hang up " she continued " Remember that nobody can love you more than i do....hmm....congrats.....will always pray for u "
Today is our 1st CB series match against aussies. I couldnt sleep yesterday. i was getting ready to go for breakfast that i heard somebody knocking at my door. i was surprised to see M.S standing
outside. I never expected the skipper at my door
" Adi, today u r opening the innings with paaji. Viru is injured so a big opportunity for u. All d best " He said and then quickly walked off.
I was dumbstruck that i never expected to play the 1st match itself and too opening with the man who has scored the most no of runs in all forms of cricket.
There was a small ceremony before the match to give me the blue cap. Everyone congratulated me. i was cloud nine also nervous.
M.S. won the toss and we elected to bat. The strategy was to see off the new ball and not to give wickets for the 1st 10 overs and my job was to rotate the strike and let Paaji do all the scoring. Paaji asked me to take the strike as he prefers the no:2 spot in the batting line up. Gilly was making all sorts of noise behind the stumps. Mat was at 1st slip encouraging him.
" Dont listen to Gilly because behind every unsuccessful batsmen there is a wicket keeper" i chanted this cricket mantra again n again.
The " Monkey " was at the coverpoint making all sorts of silly pranks. Pidge had retired so a bit of relief.
" Come on Binga, Get him on the 1st ball " Gilly is shouting
Yeah , Binga is waiting for the word "play" from the umpire
" Gentlemen, are u ready??....PLAY " said Rudi Koertsen
Binga is steaming in and balls the 1st ball just outside. i was happy to leave it. i looked at the score board " last ball 147.6 kmph" " Next its going to be 150+" i thought. Luckily i survived the 1st over.Then came in M.J. Paaji seems to be in supreme touch. Magnificient drives as he always does. My 1st runs were a scratchy edge between Gilly n Mat. Gilly n co. is disturbing me in all sorts of ways. At last after playing 18 balls i got one in the middle of my bat. That gave me some confidence and the pat i got frm Paaji changed me completely. Now i shifted gears. My score was 0 frm 16 and it quickly changed to 49 off 42
Over up. I was at the non strikers end. " Dad n mom would be watching this. SHE would be really proud of me. When i score my 50, there would be a roar in my home " All these kinds of random thoughts came to my mind. I came back to strike
"Tak Tak Tak"
" Gilly is doing his job " i thought
The bowler started his run up
"Tak Tak Tak"
"F___k Gilly u should not be doing this when the bowler is on his way." I walked off the stumps to complain to the umpire
Again "Tak Tak Tak"
" Gilly is not doing this " i realised
" Its drinks break, Get up Get up Get up uuuuuu KUMBHAKARNAN" My mom waking me from a well made 49 off 42 (3x6, 4x4)
" Yeah i am coming mom " Till now i had only doubt. Now i am pretty sure that my mom is an aussie supporter that she never allows me score a 50 even in my dreams....
