I have been studying at my table for over 4 hours.
Amma’s expression, nodding her head in appreciation… – “Mera beta, soooo hard working.”
Dad asks “What is wrong with him today?”
Varsha, my sister, blurts “I am sure there is some silly gully cricket match tomorrow.”
I give an angry stare,clearly communicating: “That is ridiculous. How can you call our cricket matches “some silly gully cricket matches?!”
My deadly stare always has an impact on people – she giggled.
Clearly, she was not appreciative of the fact that it is THE AJANTA VERSUS ELLORA CRICKET MATCH. The biggest derby match in the south-east corner of our colony.
Dad: Aah… Isiliye! Exams are coming up. No-Cricket-Match.
“Appa, since kindergarten, I have been hearing STUDY HARD, PLAY HARD. I have been studying all day; I WILL Go and Play the match. You can’t stop me…”
Aisa maine sirf mann mein socha. Bola nahi. Else one HARD and TIGHT SLAP pakka.
With moist eyes and folded hands I plead…
“You saw… I have been studying all day. I promise I will study like this every day. I have committed my availability to my team Appa. It’s Ajanta vs Ellora cricket match. Nityanand and Amit bhi aarai“.
I pester dad for 20 mins and make all kinds of promises…
Fiii..na..llllly I am able to induce a flutter of guilt in my mom. She convinces my dad.
The 4 hours in the morning and next few hours at the study table were fruitfully spent in thinking and strategizing about the cricket match.
Devil is in the detail. Details like what if opposition bats first and don’t show up after lunch? What if they take ball and run away? Etc.
In the evening we have a solid practice session. All raapyas went through a catching drill. Oh! Raapya is one who drops catches. After the session, we conclude these raapyas must feign an injury and get substituted.
We have the team meeting to discuss the strategy for the BIG match.
There is so much anticipation and nervousness. “Will I make it in the team?” Cricket careers are decided in these meetings.
The 1st agenda item of the meeting is the final Playing XI.
We discuss past performance of every player. Important parameters like – did he participate in the fist fight last time, Is he willing jump into the gutter to get the ball etc were considered before finalizing the team.
Few players walked into the team right away….
1. Rajas (B)
2. Raju (B)
3. Ratish (S)
No, they weren’t the captain or the best players. They provide the bat, ball and stumps for the match.
B = Bat, B = Ball, S = Stumps
Once we have the showstoppers names in, others are filled in.
Kumar: “Arey mereko last batting kyon bheja hai? “
Raju (our captain): “Arey tu first bowling open kar raha hain na. toh batting last”.
Rajas: “Mai open karega. Nahi to mai bat nahi laaega”
Amit: “This time, I will not field behind the wicket – keeper. Poora time dhoop mein”.
Raju: Don’t bother. You will be substituted during fielding. Batting karke kulty.
Rakesh: “Toss jita to batting. Woh log batting chor hai”.
All: “Apna scorer Salim.”
Salim has mastered the art of “sumdi mein score badhaneka”. He increases the runs and has extra ordinary capability to argue and justify it.
We are just 2 hours away from match start.
Prashant prepares as he likes to call it ‘The Prashant Way’ for the match. A long run, multiple sprints, lift heavy weights and multiple sets of push ups, squats etc. Basically, fully body workout for ~60 mins.
One of our pre-match rituals is to visit the temple before the match. I am sure even the GOD is confused “How do I grant every player’s prayer? They all want to open the batting.”
Both the teams meet to negotiate rules of the match.
Salim opens the Rules Book and reads out the important rules:
3.1.3.3 – After lunch both teams must show up. The team batting 1st must deposit their bat as a collateral during lunch time.
4.1.5.3 – No LBW.
5.2.1.5 – If Ball is lost in the bushes, then maximum 6 runs. But the batsmen must run those 6 runs. (In the last match when the ball was lost, Ellora team ran 76 runs.) That is not allowed.
6.1.3.7 – If the ball goes into the gutter. Batsman must get it and clean the ball.
6.1.4.9 – Scorer is not allowed the increase the score if no runs were scored.
6.2.4.8 – If it hit any of the trees or the scooter, it’s a 2D. (2 declared).
8.4.7.6 – Umpires and Scorers will be from the batting team. Umpires’ decision is final. Score shall be announced after every over.
9.2.6.3 – Only overarm bowling is allowed. No feki / throw bowling.
9.4.7.3 – If any of the window breaks, batsman will be declared out and it is his responsibility to get the ball from the uncle /aunty.
9.4.7.3 – No mini over.
Just before the toss, Prashant announces “Pata nahi kyon, thak gaya re mai. I am very sore and exhausted. I can’t play the match”.
Kumar: “Saaala..Bola mai. Tu jo karta hai, wo warm up nahi hai, burn out hai . You be the leg umpire now.”
Toss time.
“Arey paisa hai? Coin?” Silence.
Raju bends down to pick up a pebble (chota fattar) from the ground and shows it the Ellora team captain. He puts his hands back and then brings it forward.
“In ki Out?”
“In “
Raju’s smile grows into in a grin as he opens his palm…. “No, it is Out. We win the toss”.
We will bat first.
Our entire team erupts in JOY. An onlooker would be excused for thinking we just won the Match.
Rajas and Nityanand open the batting.
The bowler, Charlie from Ellora building, rubs the MRI ball on his pant. He is convinced it helps him to get the ball to spin. Rajas taps the pitch with his bat. Both stare at each other – Basically communicating tera waat hai aaj!
The amount of clapping, cheering, and coaching from the sidelines is inexplicable.
Charlie to Rajas.
Pehla ball… zupppppp… kkhhattaaaakk!!! Maa kasam! Clean bowled. Both off and middle stump are uprooted.
Unfazed, Rajas stares back at Charlie and declares-
“Not out, Trial ball tha.“
“This is cheating.” yells Charlie. A big quarrel ensues.
And finally, the umpire intervenes. He puts his hand out on the side and blurts “No Ball.”
Charlie is shocked. Yehh kya hai?? Why is it a no ball? My leg was behind the crease.
“You did not say ‘Left Arm Over the Wicket’.
Grumbling, he agreed. Wicket not given.
Match continues.
We are 35 for no loss.
Rajas and Nitya try to sneak a run…the fielder throws the ball and it hits the stumps…
“Howwwww issssss thattttttt!!!!” the entire team appeals at the top of their voice for a runout. The square leg umpire Prashant is caught napping. He seemed annoyed at the loud appeal that disturbed his nap. (Remember his warm up!?)
All of us (including the residents watching from their balconies) are staring at him.
“Not out” says Prashant.
Thank God! He remembered which team he belonged.
Match continues. Crazy batting, sliding fielding, chota mota raada etc…it continues.
We compile 143 runs in 20 overs.
Lunch time. As per the rules laid out, we deposit our bat with Ellora team.
After lunch, they are nervously waiting for us. Their happiness had no bounds as they see us walking in.
“Chalo, batting milega”.
They start well. 27 for no loss.
Kuldeep is batting. One ball keeps really low and hit the stumps.
Clean bowled. We start celebrating.
Kuldeep barks, “NOT OUT hai. Sarparti tha. Dead ball hai.”
Kumar said “Aisa koi rule nahi hai. OUT hai”
Kuldeep, a khatarnaak bully uproots the stumps… it’s his weapon now.
Normally we are very courageous till we are safe. This situation is not safe. We run helter-skelter and stand behind Kaju. Kaju is very strong. He is our fight leader and our key negotiator in these situations.
Kuldeep comes roaring towards us holding the stump like a javelin.
We all are shitting bricks by now.
Kaju intervenes…the protector, our saviour shouts “You are right. It was a dead ball”. And then looks at us to say “show some sportsman spirit.”
Match Continues.
Kuldeep scores 53. After he was out thrice.
Displaying extraordinary sportsman spirit, we keep taking wickets on the other end.
It is turning out to be a close match.
Last ball and they need 4 runs to win.
Prakash hits the ball high in the air and I am under the ball. I am waiting with my palms open…abhi aaega haath mein…ley, aaya…aaya… THUD! The ball hits my palm… and goes through the gap… and hits the ground… plock…and bounces away! …
Oh God! What have I done.
My heart sinks. I dropped the crucial catch.
“Ball Pheeeeek” shouts Rakesh.
By the time I collect and throw the ball, they complete 3 runs.
It’s a TIE. Wooaah!
There is a mixed emotion of happiness and sadness among all the players as we shake hands post-match.
One of the closest and unforgettable matches.
And yes, I earned the coveted title of The Ultimate RAAPYA. My friends make sure this part is highlighted in every get-together. Even today, I am lovingly called the Raapya Mama by the next generation.
1 comment
Our own Wodehouse – well done! The writing was very enjoyable and it’s not even fiction!! Well done!