Just another lazy Sunday? Actually, no!
Now there are certain things that I am bad at, sticking to time for example. It is not that I am always late, it is just that I am not always on time. So when Mr.P said I had to be there at 6, I decided to go there a bit early because you know, coaches=professionalism.
Only after reaching there did I realize that the camp was supposed to start only at 6.30 am. And what time was it when I reached the ground? 5 frigging 40! Yes, I had just reached a net session 50 mins ahead of scheduled time!
As the crowds started trickling in, I managed to make small talk with a bunch of trainees, and eventually with the coaches and Jabbar sir. I was assigned a group of overtly enthusiastic 10 year olds who were more interested in knowing about me than getting into their training session. And thus began one of the most unforgettable days of my life.
The three hours I spent there were super fun, be it handling the kids and organizing an impromptu match for them or getting them to agree over the captain and eventually, the batting order! But there were certain moments that are definitely unforgettable; some, lessons in life, others just over the top comical. I’d like to list the top 3 here.
At number 3, MANO’S TAKE ON MATCH FIXING
That cricket is the most influential medium in India, even more than cinema is quite well known. But just how influential is it? Take a look at this conversation between a bunch of 10 year olds.
Number 2, and this is funny. Presenting STUMPED BY TEARS
Here’s the situation. Team Karthik 87 in 15 overs.
Team Kumar 81 for 3 in 9 overs. Their team’s best batsman is at the crease having brought down the target to 7 needed off 6 overs and 6 wickets in hand. Wide down the leg side and in a moment of quick thinking and sheer brilliance, rishi whips off the bails and appeals for a stumping. Both me and kumar are caught off guard because a stumping was the last thing we expected in a freaking impromptu match played with a soft ball and no pads on. The entire team is upon me and kumar (the coach happens to be the umpire in these games) and in a moment of chaos induced panic we declare the batsman OUT. What followed was probably the best reaction EVER. Clearly annoyed, the batsman throws off his bat and walks off shaking his head vigorously, pushes kumar away and breaks down in tears! Amused looks exchanged between me and kumar, we give him a second chance to bat. 3 wickets fall in the space of 8 deliveries and it is eventually he who scores the winning runs! Phew, those kids would have killed us had they lost!
And at number one, LAXMAN’S BLOODY TOOTH
What do you do when an adorable 10 year old walks up to you with a bloody mouth and his goddamn tooth in his hand in the middle of cricket practise? Panic? Naturally. But the guy laughed it off and even thanked rishi (again!) for helping to knock off the tooth that had been troubling him for the past three days! God, I didn’t really know what to say! :D
In hindsight, today wasn’t really what I had planned for. I didn’t
get my 8 hrs of unadulterated sleep that I normally associate with an OFF day
but what I got was even better. The whole hearted way in which the kids asked
me to come back next week was something that really touched me. sad though that
I will not be seeing them again. On the whole though, it was truly time well
spent!
Until next time,
Adios!
A call the previous night had me turning up as substitute
COACH today at the ABDUL JABBAR CRICKET ACADEMY at the CLRI grounds, Adyar. The
instructions were pretty simple, I just had to look after a group of 10 year olds while they went about their net
sessions. Considering I knew both Mr.P who made that call and Jabbar sir quite
well, I thought why not.
Now there are certain things that I am bad at, sticking to time for example. It is not that I am always late, it is just that I am not always on time. So when Mr.P said I had to be there at 6, I decided to go there a bit early because you know, coaches=professionalism.
Only after reaching there did I realize that the camp was supposed to start only at 6.30 am. And what time was it when I reached the ground? 5 frigging 40! Yes, I had just reached a net session 50 mins ahead of scheduled time!
As the crowds started trickling in, I managed to make small talk with a bunch of trainees, and eventually with the coaches and Jabbar sir. I was assigned a group of overtly enthusiastic 10 year olds who were more interested in knowing about me than getting into their training session. And thus began one of the most unforgettable days of my life.
The three hours I spent there were super fun, be it handling the kids and organizing an impromptu match for them or getting them to agree over the captain and eventually, the batting order! But there were certain moments that are definitely unforgettable; some, lessons in life, others just over the top comical. I’d like to list the top 3 here.
At number 3, MANO’S TAKE ON MATCH FIXING
That cricket is the most influential medium in India, even more than cinema is quite well known. But just how influential is it? Take a look at this conversation between a bunch of 10 year olds.
Mano: Sir, my
friend is in that team. I’ll ask him to bowl slowly sir.
Anirudh: dai no chance! sir how is that possible sir!
Mano: ya da, he’ll do
it. Its like match fixing only. Cricketers do match fixing, correct no sir?
Me: huh :S
So this is the opinion 10 year olds have of cricket on the
whole?! Tch tch. About time cricket got back to being the gentleman’s game!
Number 2, and this is funny. Presenting STUMPED BY TEARS
Here’s the situation. Team Karthik 87 in 15 overs.
Team Kumar 81 for 3 in 9 overs. Their team’s best batsman is at the crease having brought down the target to 7 needed off 6 overs and 6 wickets in hand. Wide down the leg side and in a moment of quick thinking and sheer brilliance, rishi whips off the bails and appeals for a stumping. Both me and kumar are caught off guard because a stumping was the last thing we expected in a freaking impromptu match played with a soft ball and no pads on. The entire team is upon me and kumar (the coach happens to be the umpire in these games) and in a moment of chaos induced panic we declare the batsman OUT. What followed was probably the best reaction EVER. Clearly annoyed, the batsman throws off his bat and walks off shaking his head vigorously, pushes kumar away and breaks down in tears! Amused looks exchanged between me and kumar, we give him a second chance to bat. 3 wickets fall in the space of 8 deliveries and it is eventually he who scores the winning runs! Phew, those kids would have killed us had they lost!
And at number one, LAXMAN’S BLOODY TOOTH
What do you do when an adorable 10 year old walks up to you with a bloody mouth and his goddamn tooth in his hand in the middle of cricket practise? Panic? Naturally. But the guy laughed it off and even thanked rishi (again!) for helping to knock off the tooth that had been troubling him for the past three days! God, I didn’t really know what to say! :D
 |
| I dont normally ask for group photos but these kids just blew me away. This definitely is one for the album. |
Until next time,
Adios!
I love this post. Easily, one my favourites! :D Simple, yet pleasing. And Laxman - he is awesome! :D :P
ReplyDeleteWay to go, "SIR"! ;)