In India cricket is a “Religion”, loved and lived by the Blue Billion. I too am one of that small drop of rain who had passion for the game which offered many with name and fame.
For a start, we could only get to listen to the radio during 1989 which was the only means of mass communication that time. I dint’ even know what cricket was, nor did I know it needs a bat, ball & wicket etc., but was still cheering “Go Team India” without even getting to know that the match was over & India had lost the match.
It was 1992 which brought me closer to the game, thanks to TV and neighbours time(permission). I simply loved to watch cricket especially the bowling of a legend called Wasim Akram in WC Semi’s which had greatly influenced me to become more a Bowler than a Batsman.
Year 1993, when I was in 4th, Mom brought me a big wooden bat which was of my height & weight. Myself and Jack were the best of good enemies at our own Eden garden (Bus Depot Ground) which was dominated by Rashan (5-6yrs senior), the then reincarnation of Kieron Pollard who had bruised and blasted our bowling. He still owes us 10-15 balls which me n jack have not forgotten.
It was in 1994, most of my friends and me were busy in academics and often dint’ find time to play the game except occasionally, that we played on the terrace of my house where me n jack-ass fought, abused and tore each others shirts and UG's which forced my crazy cranium to play alone indoors, usually I used to throw the ball to the wall and play on rebound and the weirdest thing is that I have played rebound ball cricket in my Tennis Racket, Shuttle-cock bat, Long plastic scale and even with a small folded Mat.
I still remember the wall plastering craters that I have created after throwing tennis, rubber and even synthetic cork onto the wall with many a bowler’s bowling action and imitation. These insane and absurd acts have in turn benefitted me in being an ambidextrous player (in bowling, batting and fielding). It was initially difficult to cope up with since the out-swing would become in-swing and leggie would become an off after rebound, it was like bowling kumble’s googlies to get leg-spin and also that the reaction time for batsman was less than a second in my case since a stupid moron like me had to hold both bat and ball in each hand and play…
This naïve nature of mine had also created my own SPL(Suhas Premiere League) during that time, I used to make 4 teams, all balanced, international players combo using the players trump card which I had. But unfortunately I myself was all those virtual international players ie, bowler to my batsman(ie., my wall), and batsman to my bowler (ball rebound)…and also a fielder..Oh God..! I seem insane don’t I…?
Had my fielders allocated who were most often my doors or pillows or chairs on which if the batsman hits the rebound ball he will be out caught, my wickets were most often shoe boxes stacked one above the other.
It was these creative acts of mine which improved both my batting and bowling skills to be a complete all rounder. Wherever we used to go I was among the best fast bowler’s list be it in school, college, street and the likes.. I had developed new types of skiddy balls with three finger seam position, fast spinner, in-cutter etc.,
As days progressed (end of schooling) we had to shift our concentration towards our academia and our most lovable passion began to decline, especially during engineering where i had lost my amazing batting qualities that was imbibed in me from my guru (my indoor wall) to play, torture and win the betting’s with my friends for playing for longer hours without getting out like that of my favourite Rahul (another wall).
As years passed by, our Eden garden ground was replaced by tall structures which served as one of the many hindrances and the availability of Cric 2002 computer game and other suppliments had in turn blocked our “Childhood Choleria called CRICKET”.
It is now that i am only connected to cricket psychologically rather than physically thanks to that BITCH(female dog) that caused my leg injury which affected me to loose my chance to play in inter college fest during my MBA.
The Leg injury of mine is still a barrier for my game play esp., my bowling; but whatever uncertainty the future may offer, for me the memories of cricket and childhood, the great dives, ball searches and throws of our Mr.Convertible Jonty called Guldi, the big tussles & fast Yorkers/bouncers of Jack “Bret lee” or My bowling vs Raghu’s or Madhu’s batting skills…and my indoor conquest of sachin’s wicket will always be there to Cherish for a long long time… ;-)
