Cricket.................MERI JAAN

Come on come on, catch it you lazy. It was the simplest catch I ever practiced anyone, what the hell will you perform in the upcoming Under-15 tournament. After such heavy grouch all again appeared in a semicircle, crouched in an attentive way towards that person; a person with firm voice, strong built and stable eyes.
  
          I heard these words as I stepped in cricket stadium first day. All players were in whites, with brown caps, except me. Yes, today I came to join cricket club and was so excited to feel the turf, to touch that red ball, to see the cricket kit and nets. I waited nearly half an hour to talk to that great person (our coach).

He was also noticing me, I guess; after catch practice session he came to me and asked “Do you know how much tough it is to be a cricketer?”

I replied, “No sir, but I know, that I really want to play it.”

He smiled and told; tomorrow 6 AM with deposit fee of Rs.300 and remember be a man in whites, & no sleepers.

I still saw their practice for hours.
And the next day I woke up at 5:45, got ready and wore blue T-shirt and black lower and sports shoes which I had. I was very happy; it was my first time when I was going to play with a leather ball. Although I was allowed to play for only 2 months by my parents, but there was something else in my mind.

It was too far the stadium from my home and I already got late, hence I paddled my bicycle like a freak. As I entered in the ground with my bat (A bat of SS, gifted by my father on my birth day 3 years ago), that hard voice encountered me.
You, yes you new boy, complete two rounds of this ground and then report me.
That ground seemed so small; it wasn’t a tough task for me to complete two rounds. But as I start, I gasped within one round and took a short cut for the second one.
He was busy with the other players in catch practice session; without observing me he ordered to join the semicircle at the end and to check the gap between the two players.
I was afraid with the leather ball as he was punching the ball so hard towards us.
Suddenly a sunbeam of popping shots rocked me. I dropped all the catches.
I found its not that easy to be a cricketer, it’s not like a game with a Casco ball which I used to play at my town in ranji trophy (name given by local players). Still I was the worst player among the best, was dreaming to represent the Indian cricket team someday.
I was asked whether I am a bowler or a batsman, but how could I answer it?
I had always been wanted to do the both, never thought for that. There were two queues for bowlers and batsmen separately and I was confused where to go. Players were ordered by the coach to bat or bowl; I was in the field still thinking about my nature for cricket. I never understood why all the senior players were dictating for defense for the same ball on which you can get a big hit.
Continuously it was my 7th day in the stadium, and I never got a chance for batting. Being exhausted I returned to home also at that day. I complained several times to my seniors that this is the limit. I am not here to suppose to jog 3 rounds, do some exercises and field the whole session. I am wasting my summer holidays, I think I should quit from the club.
And finally on day 8, I called to pad up for batting. I couldn’t believe that, I ran towards my kit and padded up. This was the first time when I put on the kit, it was so disquieting. And the coach ordered for last 5 balls to the previous batsman. As I took my guard on the popping crease, he changed all the previous bowlers and assigned the new who were only for the camp. It hurt me, he underestimated me, I thought. And they started to bowl one by one, it was quite easy to hit them, I hit some good strokes. One by one he assigned some regular bowlers, and on a reverse swing I got bold. That was something unbelievable, how can such a heavy ball swing in the air. That was really something hard to digest.
The next day I bought the white dress and new shoes. It was somewhat inexpressible feeling, and it was really lucky to have whites. That man came to the camp boys and announced that there is a friendly match with ‘CCI’ club after 2 days. I was selected as a batsman in the team for the first down position.
When the match begun, we had to bat first…..Our opening batsman were doing well (they were the only experienced players in our team to guide the others). After a good partnership, I got the chance to bat and was bit confident too.
The team was in good position.
I was at a score of 39 and suddenly lost my wicket, which was a direct hit from the deep-midwicket. Unfortunately we lost the match too. A depressing moment…..
And the journey commenced by some friendly matches. Now I was the one of the regular players. Next step was to play a two days match; it’s a perfect match to check the stamina, player’s attitude, game quality and everything which is essential to be a cricketer. It shows anyone’s seriousness towards the workout during the camp session.
After having enough matches I was so eager to play a 2 days match.
And one day that day came……….The result of the match was in favor of our team, but still I lost the match….I could not manage to play for 2 days continuously with the same enthusiasm. After every match there was a lesson, a lecture by the coach; as it finished all the players dispersed but he called me again and asked, “Do you remember your first day at club?”
I replied, yes; very proudly as we won the match.
Oh….then can you explain your misfield at long on position?
Can you explain about your stamina after running for 2 runs?
Can you explain about poor reflexes at point position? He asked.
This is the result of to have a short cut for the second round.
I realized, it was a great victory for the team but an inglorious defeat for me.
The punishment was to run 4 rounds with a sharp stone just below my heel inside the shoe.
Day by day I improved the game as per my ability. And one day I had to put a full stop on my regular game. That day was the worst day of my life. It’s not an easy task for a boy who belongs to a middle class family.
Anyways the memorable day was to spend a whole day with Indian cricket team.
That always inspires me to play with the same passion…….it’s always alive inside me.