My first IPL match and the Fan boy moment that was just meant to be !

My first IPL match was a roller coaster ride. It started almost disastrously and ended up being the moment of my life. CSK was back after two years for the first time in Chennai, yesterday. Just to live the occasion, I wanted to be there badly. I did get the tickets to watch with my friends. But I ended up being late to the match due to some unavoidable circumstances.

  I settled along with them during the 7th over of KKR innings, as they had been in early. After a few minutes, my friend told me that the room next to us is the commentary box. I was like "Yea ok. that's great". An over later, I heard a voice on TV commentary. The one I would listen on any given day or time and the one I dearly hold, believe and love to the core. Then I was like, "Is this man next door?". 

 When you realize that the person whom you look up to in your life is in the next door, that feeling goes unexplained. I got no words to describe that. From that minute, I just couldn't be seated. I kept pestering my friend."Is the commentary box next door? Will he be there? Can I get a glimpse?? Seriously is it the next room?". Then to check myself I went and saw the board “English commentary box" and the glass door was blurred.

 I searched for notebooks and papers in all my pockets which I knew I never had. Still, I searched. Then out comes an IPL official and I asked if he can get an autograph on the ticket for me. He said no. It disappointed me. I came back and sat for a while without involving much in the match. As the first inning came to close, we went out for food. And all the while I was just staring at that door, just to see if I can get through the gap to get a sight of him.

  As we finished our dinner, my friends called me back to the seats. I couldn't give up, wanted to try once more. So I waited out and saw another officer who came out of the room and I asked him the same. He said "No", I replied "I won’t come or ask anything, can you just get it signed by him?" with a babyface. Him- "He is actually having his dinner", me-"okay I can wait". Then there was a wait for 4 overs after which he was on the air. So I had to wait another 4 overs now.

   All this while, I was preparing myself in various aspects, hoping that I might be called inside the commentary box. During this time I had seen glimpses of KP inside and Pommie Mbangwa as well. KP even once walked out with all urgency murmuring some good words. I prepared myself concerning body language, what should I say to whom, and how to start talking to him and what is the stuff I have to tell him. I knew this was the least possible thing that would happen. I knew I was panicking and my heartbeat was well high over the range. I could feel that. Yet I was preparing.

   As time passed by, that fellow saw me being so persistent, he brought the official whom I had asked earlier. He asked what is it about and I told him again. He said " They are busy now. Sorry". Gutted me, went back to my friends and started watching the match as Sam Billings was setting it up for CSK. Though I had it in my back head, I almost came to the conclusion that it's not gonna happen.

  During the second time out, my mates called for restroom and I went in for company. As we were mocking around and I turned back to wash my hands off, I saw a guy cross over. I and my friend had this look at each other, "Isn't that him?" I turn back again to look over and Yess! That was him. I caught up with tachycardia all of a sudden. I ran around searching for paper, then took a pen from the registration desk and waited outside the restroom. Mathew Hayden passed by politely denying a selfie for a couple of fans.

  I ran to my friend and took his mobile, as mine was already dead. He comes out and poses for the two who waited first. The lighting was poor and as one of them calls him outside the corridor "Let’s take it here, please. If people see one camera out then everybody will want one and it will be difficult then" he replied. 

  As it is I was embarrassed to block him out of the restroom. Hearing him say so, made me go worse. I have no idea what happened. Having a pen and ticket in one hand and a phone in other, Hands shivering and me panicking like any, I blabbered hesitantly, "Sir, one autograph please!". He saw me in such state, called me near and put a hand on my back and said "It's okay. Come closer. Take one no problem". 

  With all those poor lighting and hands shivering, knowing that I don't have much time as he is in a hurry, I made the dumbest face possible unknowingly and clicked one. I had so much to say him. Yet nothing came out but air. I blabbered again "Sir, one autograph please!". He patted on my back twice and said "Am sorry. It's getting late already. I have to go." I knew I couldn't hold him for long and said "Thank you sir" which only heard to me as I stood there. 

  What I have done here. All I wanted to say, all that preparation I did vanish away for those two minutes. All I had to say him was "Sir, This is and will always remain the fanboy moment of my life". I couldn't utter a word, yet I knew it was the one. That was surreal. I came back to my friends all smiles and was just staring the ground for a while. I just kept smiling and my friends knew what it meant to me. Thanks to them for this. 

  All I felt was that moment was just meant to be. After the way I got to the match, that was the last thing I can expect to happen, yet it did. Then with some fan rivalry around we got along with the match and eventually, Chennai won it like they always do - Dramatically.

  We can never really express how it feels when we love someone for what we think they are and then to realize, that they are actually the way we love them for in reality. I will continue to love him and try to replicate it in my own way. My love for this man Harsha Bhogle just scaled new peaks. Off all that happened the other night, that moment which hasn't sunk in yet with all the hyper effects on me still on high was The Fanboy moment of my lifetime.

The Rohit, Rahane conundrum and the perspective of a Rohit Sharma fan !.

For starters, I am a huge Rohit Sharma fan.

I always have been.

The thought of Rohit playing test cricket at No.6 after this long break was really exciting for me. I was hoping him to own this place after all these years. Yet, on the afternoon of 5th January, I was blown away by the decision to drop Rahane for Rohit and playing 5 bowlers including Hardik pandya.

That was huge! 

To drop our best batsman outside subcontinent for the form of Rohit was something I couldn't think of.  I was just hoping that Rohit would make this decision worthwhile by producing some fine performance. Twice he had the stage for him to own, to take the No.5 position for himself, yet he didn't.

And that's what frustrates a fan. To be fair to him he played himself in really well in the first innings. But the second innings dismissal sums up his outing. Especially when the hopes were so high as something historical was within reach.

So what does Virat Kohli do now?

Somehow you have to go back to Rahane. He is the best overseas batsman for us. But if Rahane comes in, who goes out? Dropping Rohit after just one match is unfair as well.

Who else to drop then?

 Hardik Pandya has done everything that has been asked of him. His 93 brought us back in the game and the way he bowled, he looks like the long desired good prospect for the future.

Would you drop him and play Rohit at 6 with four bowlers. That leaves a lot of workload for the bowlers. We have to find a way to keep Bhuvi fresh and use him smartly.

Can we drop Ashwin? No we can't. No matter where we play, a quality spinner is always handy to plug one end. And an Indian team without a spinner would be unimaginable.

So will we go with the same eleven dropping Rahane again and backing Rohit to fire? That would be really absurd. 

Please no. Not again!

To be fair to Rohit Sharma, ever since he started opening he has been the best in the world. With the numbers, he is the top of the list. But there's something about him isn't it.

Given on a big match day, will we be able to say "Right here's is Rohit Sharma and he's going to win it for us today". 

Sadly No. Not yet. 

He is growing in stature. And producing staggering numbers and becoming far more consistent. But, he is yet to reach there. There's always some uncertainty associated with him. I wish he breaks that jinx and reach there soon. The sooner he does, greater the fun we will be having.

So cometh the second test at Pretoria, I believe Rohit Sharma should play at no. 6 if India is going in with 4 bowlers theory. But I believe the captain wants the luxury of 5 bowlers and hence it should be Rahane who should be coming back at No. 5 in place of Rohit.

It makes me feel bad to see Rohit dropped yet again, but if the team does well with the balance they get by paying this eleven and they do well, then that joy matters more.

That's what a cricket fan would want. I am one. So sadly that's the way to go for me as a Rohit fan. 

Yet to watch the team do well and attain glory rather than just competing, on any given day I could trade that feeling !..

The Return of CSK - A fan who admires from outside !!

        Back in 2015 a team which made to the final of the most celebrated T20 league in the world and another team which was always known for its fair play and grooming young talents ever since a guy nick named 'Gentleman' took over were banned from the league for two years because, few individuals of the team and the franchise management were proven guilty of spot fixing.

        It was two individuals who wore the stature of those teams to the world. Though Rahul Dravid had retired in 2013 he was much the face of Rajastan Royals even while mentoring the team in 2015. Like in their playing days, even when on their return there is no fuss about them. It is not sure whether Rahul will be coming back to franchise yet. There are that kind of a franchise doing the job without any fuss, they always have.

       Then there is "CSK". The Chennai Super Kings was an emotion more than just a franchise. They are the exact opposite to the kind of franchise RR has been. They have been the buzz of the IPL for seasons. And there was a man holding the team for 8 years. MS DHONI- inevitably he has been the face of the franchise. And the people of Tamil Nadu celebrated him as their own like they have celebrated their heroes and like nobody in the world could do.

       We celebrated him and the franchise as if almost everything in the cricketing world happens because of him and the team. There were a few friends of mine who will be literally shouting "CCCSSSKK DAA" even during India matches when players of the franchise appears on screen. This almost created a hatred and jealousy among those fan who are from Tamil Nadu and support to different franchises for different reasons.

       Being a supporter of Mumbai Indians (basically we are Sachin fans from child hood u Know :P )
it was almost irritating the ways fans of CSK celebrated it. But not once I have failed to admire the team and the franchise for the kind of culture it possesses. As much as anybody would try to disagree, it is a fact that CSK was holding the largest fan base in the country.

               Unlike many other franchises the core players of the team weren't bought and formed. Most players started at CSK and were developed into the core of the team and the captain holded it together. There were unsung heroes for the franchise from time to time. S Badrinath was the saviour of the team in most critical times. The team culture and the consistency they exhibited is almost unbelievable that it will make any genuine cricket fan admire them.

              The love of CSK doesn't end with fans. The players were openly exhibiting it even after they had to depart their ways for couple of years due to inevitable reasons. Its very rare to see such sight in a corporate professional world. And that is what sets CSK apart.

             Almost every other team and their fans wanted to beat CSK. That is the standard and emotional connect the franchise had set even with the opposition and their fans. We have seen some extraordinary cricket in the past two years, make no mistake. But it was the emotional connect that was being missed by the fans of the rivalries as much as those of CSK.

       MS  Dhoni was the heart of CSK. The love for the franchise is unbelievable that in the past two years fans have been just counting down for the day the ban will be lifted. #thereturnofCSK has been trending all the while even when they weren't playing. With MS no longer the captain at Pune and the franchise being ready to grab him at any cost the fans were just waiting for the return of CSK.  And as July 14 passed by, its been two years since the ban was imposed. The ban is lifted now and celebration has already stared in social media.

                            https://twitter.com/MirchiMemes/status/885594197591445504

           Having grown up in the early 2000 I have been used to love a team that wore blue jersey and admire a team with yellow jersey for all their good on the field. It was the same case at the IPL as well. Being from Tamil Nadu and as a fan of Mumbai Indians I have never failed to admire the charm,  joy and the emotion the Chennai Super Kings have provided. And I just can't wait for the celebrations to begin and to see "THALA" MS DHONI back in yellow again. Well, at least he has already provided that for time being.

The Root Romance, Moeen Masterclass and the Chepauk Crowd !..

           It was nearing lunch of Day One at MA Chidambaram stadium by the time me and my friend reached there. We were late as we were coming after work in night shift. The score card was reading England - 68/2 as we entered the arena through Gate 5 in Victoria Hostel Road. A partnership was under construction by Joe Root and Moeen Ali with the bat and Ash and Jaddu with the ball.

          Joe Root, like always was at his fluent best with his drives, cuts, sweeps. Though there were some odd pokes outside off here and there against Umesh as the ball was reversing, he never looked like he was at sea against the spin trio. Amit Mishra was scarcely used in the first half of the day and Root was driving and sweeping the other two with ease. There was no audacity, rush or power. It was pure romance between the bat and the ball.

         With Root scoring at a brisk rate, Kohli had no choice but to have an in-out field. This made life easier for the batsmen as Moeen got settled, happily playing the second fiddle to the star at the other end. Root was facing the spinners with huge forward stride and pushing it to point and taking singles. As a result of which, Kohli in the 36th over removed short mid wicket fielder and placed him at point. As if expecting this to happen, Root swept Jadeja in front of mid wicket for a boundary to bring up his half century.

        As England was marching towards tea without losing any wicket in the second session, the sweep shot which was his prime weapon against the spinners became too much for Root. Having ruled Not Out by the on field umpire, Kohli reviewed the decision to overturn it with the snickometer showing small bottom edge to the keeper. Root missed out on a well deserved century. But it was pure romance for a cricket fan until it lasted.

      It almost looked like the game plan for England as Moeen stood at one end and the others were taking the attack to the bowlers. Bairstow came in as Root got out and right from the start he was showing positive intent and sending both Ashwin and Jadeja over the fence. As he was nearing his half century it got too much for him as Jaddu was accurate and he wasn't able to rotate. He went for a booming cover drive but a tad early. He chipped it to extra cover and was livid with himself for throwing it away.

     Moeen Ali on the other end was playing patient test match cricket. Though there were some lofted shots down the track to the spinners, he was happy rotating the strike and putting the odd bad ball away. By the fag end of the day, he got to his century and it was a batting masterclass from him.

     He was playing the spinners with the spin. May be he was helped by the nature of the pitch as the bounce was true despite all the storm and rain. And there was consistent turn for the spinners of the pitch which is why he was able to leave alone a lot of balls from Jadeja and Ashwin. 

  As the day's play got over, we were able to see Virat with changed clothing being padded up and going to the practice pitches with Sanjay Bangar, followed by K L Rahul and Anil Kumble. Hope it was one off day for R Ashwin as he will be keen to make this match a memorable one for his home crowd.

    Now coming to the crowd, there were a reasonable amount of crowd for the start of a test match on a week day. Chennai crowd was never known to be vocal. There were occasional "ooooohhh"s and "ahhhhh"s as Moeen left a few balls from Jadeja and Ashwin beat them with the turn. And huge eruption every time a wicket fell or a review was taken. But what stood out was that every time England team or any English player reached a land mark, the entire stadium was standing up and applauding the effort. There was huge eruption in the stands for a minute as Root and Bairstow got out. But as they walked off, the entire stadium stood up and applauded. 

   Having been deprived of international matches in the recent past for some reason or the other, Chennai fans were keen to come to their own Chepauk to see their national stars and more importantly to enjoy the sport. Chepauk crowd showed why players love playing here and why we have the reputation of being called " The Knowledgable Crowd". With the next two days being holidays, I am pretty sure that there is going to be a lot more of noise and applause at the Chepauk.

  It was my first ever international match at the ground as a spectator. I am sure there is a lot to follow in future. But at this moment I am keenly looking forward to see how this match turns out as it will always remain as my debut test match.

   
          
    

The day Wankhede got Kohlified !!!

       Just as when people start losing words to describe the kind of form Virat Kohli is in, I find myself in a position relating the way Wankhede went berserk when he got out. Like Mr. Kaushik R wrote in Wisden India, this was the first ever test match for team India in the history of the city in which no mumbaikar was featuring in the playing eleven.
   

       The last time when a test match was played there, it was the farewell match of Sachin Tendulkar. When the little master got out for one last time, the entire stadium was rhyming "Sachiinn Sachinn". Similar was the applause when Virat Kohli got out on 235 this Sunday. I just had the feel that the baton has been passed on and the circle is complete.

       The Wankhede crowd have some history with the Non-Mumbai players and Virat is no exception. He do have some history here and it wasn't a sweet one. People booed at him and called him cheat for appealing a run out. Kohli was furious like always, mentioning that the IPL wasn't the end of the world.

Read:Virat criticizing Mumbai crowd

        But on Sunday it wasn't the case. It was a side without any mumbaikar and 20,000 people were cheering for their new hero who is growing by stature every single day. Such was the prowess shown by him with the bat in this innings. In 2016 he has hit more than 1000 runs in Test matches and it includes only 2 sixes in it. This is a supreme example of his adaptability between formats.

      
      As soon as he got past the 200 run mark, he cut loose. The six he hit of Woakes, he could have hit any good length ball like that. But respecting the occasion and playing the situation is something he has improved over the years. He keeps performing because of his hunger to improve every single day. And that is why he is racing ahead of many towards greatness. 

       It's quite interesting when a player at his prime form can make us feel that he is a great player or even the best ever. But greatness is not something that happens overnight. Greatness is a progress  and it can be defined as longevity with consistency. Virat Kohli is ticking all boxes and marking his way towards it.

       He is already giving us the " I was there when he did those things on the cricket field" kind of feel very often. Playing in the zone is something that must happen and it can't be forced. And it comes with the hard work you put and more importantly with the state of mind you are in.

      For a batsman, one shot from the middle of the blade will trigger the entire system working automatically thereafter. At this moment, Virat is such kind of zone where his system is working to the fullest. And the longer it does, the more is the joy for fanatics likes us and more and more of "Viraattt Virattt" will be reverberated from the stands.

From "Sachinnn ... Sachinn.... " to " Kohliii... Kohhlliiii..." ! Only the rhyme differs ! Happy Birthday Virat Kohli !!!

     

     It's not that I always loved cricket like I do now. Somewhere around the year 2000, I used to be a kid who fights to watch cartoon network when the whole family watch cricket. I got addicted to it so much that my dad had to cut the cable connection. Now, I don't have a choice but to watch Doordarshan. I was 8 and I was watching a young man who was just around 28, yet was being called as the GOD of the sport. Dad made me watch cricket and Sachin Tendulkar made me a devotee of the religion he portrayed. 

       

     There were millions of young kids who had the same effect as mine and we all wanted to be like him. I ended up being a fan who knows how to play. But, there was another kid who is 5 years older than me and he idolized the God like we all did. He didn't stop just being a fan. He started playing cricket and give it all he had for the sport. As the kid turn 28 today, I can't help myself but to think that life is always a cycle and it has come one full circle. 

     Virat Kohli. Like Sachin, he has achieved so much that thinking of what more he could do fascinates me. I can hear you murmur. England. Lord's. Another two years and then we will have the answer. I believe unlike Sachin, "Virat Kohli" will be engraved on that board for sure. A T20 world cup may be. He came close twice to glory, but it has evaded him for now. Above all, what we can be sure of is that he is going to give the purest form of joy for the fascinating fan. 

     If you fast forward/play every six months or so from the day he made his debut, the improvement rate will be visible for you. And the good thing that happened to him was that he didn't break into the international arena as a superstar. Not many said "THE STAR HAS ARRIVED" like they did for Rohit, Unmukt and many others. He gradually made his mark by winning games, which was his ultimate motto for playing the sport. For me, 2012 Hobart was the arrival of Virat Kohli- The Star. From then on, there was no looking back!

    When we see aggressive young players, we often dismiss them from the group of humble, hardworking people. If you see the way he behaves or talks about the seniors or the legends of the sport, you will know the respect he has for those who deserve it. Our coach used to tell us " You have to respect the sport, ground and the people. Ground is the purest place and if you give everything out there, it will definitely give you back more than what you put in". The success he is achieving amazes me about the amount of hard work he is putting in. He is setting the benchmark for the kids in the nations.

     He is not Sachin Tendulkar. But the stature he has now, is no less to what Sachin had then. But then, may be certain things are destined. For this generation of kids Virat Kohli would be the best example to look up to for his attitude and hard work. He can influence a lot of kids. And who knows, twenty years from now, there might be a kid about whom, we will be writing in association with Virat Kohli.

    Not everybody likes Virat Kohli. And it is not necessary too. Respect is the most important thing. And you have to admit that no matter whether you love him or hate him, you have to respect him. Because he has earned it. Happy Birthday Virat Kohli!  

      

When the crowd went "Damukutla Dumukutla" !...

           As the inaugural edition of Tamil Nadu Premier League  reaches the knockout stages, it feels like my debut match was almost destined to be in this tournament at my home town. Previously me with my cricket following friends had few opportunities to go for matches at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. For one reason or the other it just didn't happen. Be it the T20 worldcup or the IPL, we just couldn't.

         This month, I had to make an unexpected visit to home which happened to be a brief stay. The first thing I read on Newspaper is the buzz in the town about the TNPL match which is being held in a ground which has a state history before being left on it's own. This time I didn't want any reason to come as I was keen to live the moment of visiting for a match in my home town which is on world feed. It was a rare opportunity for a town from down south of the state which is left undisturbed by all the globalization and industrialization yet had its own resources. And guess what, I somehow managed to get a complimentary ticket as the tickets were already sold out. My experience could never be expressed as the match went down to super over. What else I could have asked for?!
                 

           
         There were around 4000 people in stadium which was more than its capacity. And the crowd was going nuts every time they get a glimpse of Mathew Hayden. He was travelling all through the state doing all the promotion,wearing ethnic dresses walking along the boundary and shaking hands with crowd. As much as I feel he is doing his job for the money he is getting from the broadcaster, I must admit that there must be a bit of CSK affection left in him.

         Mr. N Srinivasan  must be credited to a greater extent for what the tournament is now. It's just a start of something big and as years pass by if he manages to pull the same amount of attention from media for the tournament, I seriously believe the quality of the tournament could go a notch higher. Because, the inaugural league will always have it's attention for the veterans in the fraternity. As the seasons pass by, the significance will shift towards the contest between the teams and the franchises will try to unearth new talents for all the money they have invested. This will have a greater say in the quality of the tournament. After all, sports thrive on contests.

      Though there was a lot of talk about taking the sport to the smaller towns, we must admit to some extent this was about showing his power an prowess, considering his current situation in the cricketing fraternity. If that is not the case, TNPL could well have started earlier considering the affection and success CSK got from the people of the state. Karnataka premier league was started as early as 2009 and has been conducted consecutively from 2011. But what Mr. Srinivasan has managed to do is to get the attention of cricketing world by collaborating with Star Sports.

   

       Being an ardent fan of the game who would wake at 4 am in the morning to watch a test match between England and Australia, I feel the crowd wouldn't have rush in to the grounds if there was no live media coverage. Myself being played district league matches for my college know that the spectators would never show up for some district matches.

     There may be a lot of known and unknown reasons for the initiative. But hopefully, if the tournament goes on for the next few years, those players who have to fight their way not just with their game but also the non cricketing reasons in the state as they say, will be hugely benefited. This will give them a platform, get them a glimpse or one desperate chance which they are starving for years. Once their performance is live for the cricketing fraternity life might just become a bit easier. So this tournament after all, is not that bad for a start.