Cricket and Me

I remember fondly and vividly my ‘kirrik’et memories from my childhood;

--I used to collect all sorts of pictures of Indian cricket players, mainly Sachin. I maintained a book which had all cut-outs from various magazines pasted. I remember fighting with a rag picker for a news-paper piece which had Sachin’s Photo!

--The first article I read in news paper was the sports column a day before India’s match and a day after India match (if India had recorded a victory)

-- I visited temples, did urulu seve (rolled over around the temple), burnt camphor on the hand, prayed intensely by doing naama japa (uttering the name of God) several thousand times – Just for India’s win.

-- I believed in a observing a pattern while watching matches together. Like, if someone goes outside and India loses a wicket. I dragged that person back and made him sit in the same place till the match ended. (I did not even allow him/her for the loo.. :-D).

-- If someone insulted Sachin, it would be an insult to me. I indulged in physical fights also!

-- There was a time when the matches played by India in Bangalore Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in a victory. So, I thought that Bangalore is lucky to team India.

-- I considered people who eulogized cricketers of other countries as ‘traitors’!

Situation now,

--I still cannot stomach India’s defeat. If I feel Indian team is going to lose the match, I just shun watching the match, I do not discuss about the match when India looses. Maybe because, I take it too personally and not just as a sport.

-- Sachin’s play out there in the field makes me feel proud. Someone praising him will help me keep away from dry-eye syndrome.

-- I read news articles related to cricket only when India wins or when it is about Sachin Tendulkar.

-- I do not understand the technical terms used in cricket. Cover-drives, square-cuts, pulls just go over the top. J


I love cricket when India played. I love Sachin Tendulkar for whatever he is. I love to watch cricket only when either of the them  are in the game!