Wonderful Weekend

The past weekend saw two matches being played, which involved cricketers belonging to the Palar Cricket Club:

Match1: (Saturday) Open-Silicon winning by 1 run @ Railways Ground. (Kinvah Corporate Cricket Challenge)

Match2: (Sunday) Indiranagar Cricket Club winning by a huge margin @ REVA Ground (Division 4 League match)

Apart from my blog below, we also saw the following comments come from the captain and the man of the hour - Umesh!!

 - Comments from Ajay S:

"This is good stuff J thanks Prasan, Rahul….

Couple of moments:

1. Catch at short covers was “catch of the year 2010”!  Needs to be rewarded…..U are a champ Umi !!!!!! 

2. Sujit seemed so scared about re-injuring his ankle while stopping the ball with hand!  How is that logically possible?? Finally due to confusion he let the ball go for a boundary costing 4 runs! I had to tell him that there is no ankle in either hand….and he accepted J J

Umi, may be we should add something for league match yesterday!

Some moments I enjoyed:

1. First hundred for Indiranagar this season. That means I need to give first Rs 2000 to Ashfaque (115)…which I am very happy about. Indiranagar recorded highest score 372 for year 2010. Umesh 76, Anuj 49, New chap rajendran 50 runs contributed to make that happen along with Ashfaque. Jr Vikam (Age 14) took 6 wickets for 45…another left arm spinner in making to replace Bhagwan Singh…Indiranagar winning 5 out of 5 matches at league stage! 

2. And here is the best Moment: Manohar bowling….Umesh comes at first slip with great confidence…ball edges towards point….Manohar yelling at Umesh for not diving in the point direction from slip…ha ha ha…..next ball Umi promptly asking Prithwi to take slip position…and going to short third man position himself…We all can understand Umi..don’t we?"

- Comments from Umi:

" :) Wow i enjoyed it - I am on high with compliments from the Captain on the catch - great feeling !@!#@#$@$

Yeah it was a great week end altogether on Sunday included.

Few of things i remember was the new Guy - he was struggling to touch the ball first few overs - it looked like he never batted before and then he went on to make 50 !!! Also every over i have told him while batting not to change the end - lot of tennis ball cricket i believe :)

Manohar standing next to me in Slips and Jealous about Ajay's bowling - saying he is still figuring out how Ajay can get more wickets...and the next ball ..Guess what Ajay takes wicket next ball - uff...

Enjoyed Ashfaque hitting big ones....and first time in my life seeing the other Guy hitting century batting opposite side and the Joy that he experienced...."

Well...I am really not sure what Umi meant when he typed - '!@!#@#$@$', but I am sure it is just pure happiness. :)

Keep the comments coming guys and hope for a even more memorable weekend to follow.

Cheers,

Dundee

The Sweet Revenge

Yesterday, when Rahul came up to me and told me about the next match of the 'Kinvah Corporate Cricket Challenge', I didn't know that it was actually the semi-final match. Infact, it was only when I got to the ground that I realized that we were playing this semi-final against rivals - Cap-Gemini. 

The reason I mention our opponents so clearly here, is because the previous two encounters between our teams have always yielded very tight results. The first happened in the BGS ground, where I was told that the 100 run partnership between Umesh and Ajay B sealed the match for us. The second, and obviously more infamous, meeting happened at the RSI ground for the 'Royal Challenge Corporate Trophy' where we were chasing and had to score 2 runs of the final over, but ended up loosing 4 wickets for nothing and lost the match!! (for more details on that match, please refer Rahul's blog below)

This time around, however, things were much different. This Saturday, we decided to go out there and "play our natural game". Here, let me say that whenever you here any International or Domestic cricketer say the above phrase, what he actually means is - 'We had no strategy!!' or in many cases - 'Our strategy was so pathetic, that I prefer saying that we played our natural game instead!!'.......In our case though, the reason we had no strategy was mainly because, we are all too lazy!

This fact was quite obvious because when the organizer called our captain for the toss, we looked at each other for 5 minutes, wondering who will be the captian today, before Ashfaque obliged with the honours, won the toss and decided that we would bat first. To follow that up, Ajay B had absolutely no idea untill the last moment that he was actually opening the batting with Ajay S and soon we had 2 other batsmen padded up not knowing when they had to go bat. Eventually, it was decided that Umesh would be the captain and after that he did a wonderful job of marshaling the troops.

The lack of strategy from our end, was more than made up by our opponents, who ran a full round, warmed-up, got into a team huddle and opened the bowling with a spinner. A strategy that worked beautifully, cause our ex-captain Ajay S was back into the dug-out in the first over itself, to give Anil company with a little chai cutting.

Our other main stream batsmen tried to up the tempo, but managed to regularly leave their stumps open or find the fielders. Umesh and Puneet tried to build a partnership, but Puneet succumbed to a suicidal run. Pinkesh and Rahul lost their wickets trying to score a few quick runs and it was left to the tail enders to play out the stipulated 20 overs. Anil (8 runs), Sujit (3 runs) and me (2 runs n.o), somehow managed to stretch the innings to the last ball and we ended up being bowled out for exactly 100 runs in 20 overs. 

As we took to the field, we hardly had any scope of winning. Infact we were all looking forward to finishing the match and having some sumptuous snacks at Shri Krishna Bhavan at the earliest. Our opponents, however, had different plans. Again their opening batsmen strolled out with a pre-defined strategy and smashed their way to 48 runs without loosing any wickets. Eventually, it took one of Ajay S's super-flight balls to get us our first wicket. The next batsmen lost his stumps to Yadav and the suicidal runout in our innings was complemented by an even more suicidal runnout in their innings. Soon they found themselves at 50 odd for 3 wickets. 

At this juncture, we still did not have any hope of winning, but kept our cool and encouraged the bowlers to keep bowling the good balls. It was at this time, that captain Umesh pulled out his trump card - Spinners.

Ajay had already picked up a couple of wickets, Sujit and Pinkesh picked one each as well, which included a brilliant catch taken by Umesh. The target wasn't too high and the runs kept coming and soon we were in a situation where the opposition need only 5 runs from 6 overs, with 3 wickets remaining. 

Enter Pinkesh who bowled a straighter delivery to get rid of the left hander. A tight over ensured that 3 runs were needed with 2 wickets remaining. Sujit bowled, what was to be the last over of the match. He bowled a short ball first up, which the batsmen pulled and the ball traveled in the air in the direction of Ajay, who took a superb catch running to his left. 

3 runs and 1 wicket remaining. Sujit tried a straighter one, which slid down the leg slide and was given a wide. 

2 runs and 1 wicket remaining. The pressure on the batsman was clearly visible. Sujit bowled the next ball. It was a straighter one, which the batsman did not pick up. The ball skipped the bat and hit the pad in-line with the stump. All of us let out a huge appeal and as the umpire started raising the dreaded finger, our celebrations had already begun!!

It was yet another close encounter and this time around, we emerged victorious. It was a great come back for our team and we did not even try to hide the joy on our faces. 

Sujit, who picked up 3 wickets for 16 runs was adjudged the Man of the Match, but the bottle of red Kinvah wine was enjoyed by the whole team. This was a momentous victory for us and as I recollect, it was the first time that we had emerged as winners in a closely fought battle.

Cap-Gemini was quite stunned with what had happened and it was the sight of them, huddled  under a banyan tree, outside the ground, still wondering what really had hit them, that made this a very sweet revenge. 

The score now stands at:

Open-Silicon 2 - 1 Cap-Gemini

Now, as we look forward to yet another final, I would summarize yesterday's match by saying that it was the 2 crucial runs that I scored in the last over that made the difference in the end.

Ok, I know all of you will oppose this, but what the heck - this is my blog. If you think otherwise, write your own!! :)

Cheers

Dundee

Kaif ran for his life

And that’s OUT….Kiran (in Jo’s XXL T-shirt) has lost his wicket with superb catch by wicket keeper. The poor fellow (next batsman, Mohammad Kaif) who was waiting for his batting chance through out the tournament (Kingfisher cricket ball corporate tournament) finally got it in semifinal match, for last ball, with butterflies rather all

kinds of insects rushing throughout his body. He started praying, NO, Started abusing all 4 batsmen who lost there wicket in 5 balls, and fail to score 4 runs in 6 balls. Scored only 2 runs in 5 balls. So the target for him was to score 2 runs in 1 ball , to reach Final and face Dell India for the first time.

Captains word to him “Bowler will ball on outside the off stump, so come into the line, connect it, and run for life. Your target is not scoring 2 runs, safety first, score single, if you can run for second (if luck favours) run for two. If we win this, we will definitely win against DELL, and then we can play with RCB.” RCB……That means Robin

Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Dale Steyn, Anil Kumble etc… playing against these guys is like dream comes true, naaaahhh I don't have any words for this feeling.

Vice Captain was a closest eye witness of this downfall. He was standing on non striker end without facing a single ball. He gave some suggestion to Md. Kaif  “This is a chance to become Hero. I know you are, but show it to world”. Oh my god, what a chance, what an encouraging speech.

So many things in his mind,

 - Bloody batsmen, could not score 4 runs

 - Lots of insects rushing.

 - Captains talk.

 - Bloody batsmen, could not score 4 runs.

 - RCB ……

 - Will he bowl on offside, or I will get away with leg side wide.

 - Bloody batsmen, could not score 4 runs.

 - If I do the needful, how to celebrate.

 - Hero …

 - Bloody batsmen, could not score 4 runs.

 - Pahen ne ko kapada nahi hoga,… etc (this one is scene from Lagan)

 - Bloody batsmen, could not score 4 runs.

These are enough things in mind to hang even Dual Core Processor, he hardly had Pentium1.

Took guard of middle stump, just because captain said bowler will ball on off stump and his own thinking of, if ball goes little bit on leg side can get a wide run. Field was set to stop single. Bowler started his run up, it was short but looked like Shoaib Akhtar or Malcolm Marshall running from 45 yards. As captain said, he bowled on offside,

batsman was ready for offside ball, got the connection, but straight to bowlers throat. As instruction given to Md. Kaif “run for life”, in spite of knowing bowler has taken the clean catch, he started running. It was not his day, he was also well short of crease when he got run out.

All this things happened in about 1 minute in real time. I am sure, Md. Kaif felt like, he played a full session of test match without losing his wicket. He was so tired, could not walk back to dressing room (pavilion).

That’s it, Hero……. Celebration ……RCB...... all things went away, only two things left

 - “BLOODY BATSMEN, COULD NOT SCORE 4 RUNS”

 - “MOHAMMAD KAIF RAN FOR HIS LIFE”

Author: Rahul (Md. Kaif)

DELLdrums

It was yet another final with our arch enemy - DELL.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, our spirits were up. The plan was to post a big score (200+) in the allotted 20 overs and then put pressure on their famous batting attack.

But not all went according to plan. 2 wickets in 2 balls in the very first over - both opening batsmen back in the hut! .....Soon the score read, 17/3 and a few minutes later - 25/4.....we were in trouble. Puneet and Ajay B tried to steady the score, but the wickets kept falling. By the 18th over, we were reeling at 87/8!!

Rahul and Sujit were at the crease. I, the last batsman, was padded up and keenly awaiting my turn. A left arm spinner was bowling to Sujit. The first few balls were quiet. The third ball was pitched up. Sujit put his foot out and drove the ball down the ground. Mid On was standing inside the circle and the ball raced past him to the boundary. 4 runs!!

Claps all around. Then Sujit played a rash shot to the next ball and held out to the same fielder. 9 wickets down and that meant I had to go bat.

As I reached the middle, Rahul came up to me and said ' Play out the 2 overs. They have crossed their allotted time for bowling and we will get 20 extra runs for doing nothing!!'

I did some mental calculation in my mind. 91 + 20 = 111 runs already!!!......wait...I had to survive 2 overs. I got going about my task.

2 balls to go in this over.....I completely missed the first one. I had no idea whether it had spun away or spun in.....I was simply glad that it missed the stumps too!!

Last ball - The ball was pitched up. I somehow managed to get to the pitch of the ball and tap it. The feeling of the ball hitting the middle of my bat was soothing. I had survived!!

Rahul played the first few balls of the 19th over and took a single of the third ball. I had to survive 3 balls, but it was a spinner again. Watching 3 balls from the other end, I had realized that he was a leg spinner. The ball would go away from me. I had to remember that.

4th ball - The bowler bowled. I could see the ball was pitched up. It was coming towards me just above the line of sight of my eyes. Damn...I realized it was a full toss!!. I simply closed my eyes and swung away. Thwack.....I knew that I had made contact. I opened my eyes. The ball was soaring up in the air. It was the shortest boundary of the V.E.T ground - I had hit a six!!.....Woooo....That felt great.
The whole team was cheering for obvious reasons. I had to concentrate again.

5th ball - This time my confidence was high. I was able to read the bowling. He had dropped it short. I simply rocked back and smacked it through Covers. Well.....the ball actually went past the diving left hand of the point fielder, but Third Man was too fine and I had hit a boundary again.

10 runs in two balls. I made a mental calculation in my mind - 122 runs. I could picture myself , standing next to the organizer, holding the 'Man of the Match' award. We simply had to survive another over.

6th ball - The ball was again pitched up. I drove it to Long Off and ran through for a single. I was happy that Rahul was letting me take strike for the last over.

However, when I reached the other end, something strange happened. The bowler, who was obviously pissed off started tapping me at the back of my helmet - Knock Knock!!

It took me a few seconds to realize what had happened. ' What the hell...' I thought to myself, 'Is this some new form of sledging.' I looked around to the Umpire. He was cautioning the bowler.

I was in some sort of a shock, but decided to carry on. DELL was known to adopt such tactics. I decided to concentrate. But by this time, their Wicketkeeper had come across and now he started to tap me on my helmet too. Knock Knock......

I looked around again. The Leg Umpire simply raised his hands and said, ' There is no rule against this type of sledging. There is nothing I can do.'

What!!......this can't be true. I looked at my captain. They were simply sitting there eating chips and drinking Pepsi. I looked at Rahul. He too was standing there doing nothing.

Their Wicketkeeper continued to knock - Knock Knock!!
'Too much........This can't be right', I thought to myself.

I simply closed my eyes.......and when I opened them again......I was lying on my bed starring at the ceiling fan.

My maid was at furiously knocking at the door - ' Bhaiya.....Kholo Bhaiya!!'

Author: Prasan

The Law of Averages

A few days back when Pinkesh sent out a spreadsheet consisting of our scores and results, till date, our captain Ajay responded with a little statistic of his own:

I was keeping track of my batting statistics for year 2010.

• Played 37 matches J
• Scored 1221 runs (5 times not out)
• Average = 38.15
• 100’s = 3 (Lost once after scoring 100 against Unisys)
• 50’s = 8 (Lost once after scoring 50 against Samsung)
• 8 times got out on 40’s
• As Captain: 26 matches! Won 19. Lost 7 

Before any of us realized the mistake in the calculations, he re-sent the email with the correct figures:

Recalculating…….average and runs…some error…

It feels better now J

Played 37 matches J

Scored 1581 runs (5 times not out)

Average = 49.40

A truly amazing average....and couple that with a team win to loss ratio of 66.67%, this year, it is quite obvious that in the game of cricket the Openers have a big role to play.

A good opening stand is worth its weight in Gold, but even if one of the Opening batsmen sticks on till the middle overs, it not only provides a great boost to the rest of the team, but also works to demoralize the bowling attack.

Ajay has done a great job in leading us, from the front, for a long long time now and despite his first ball duck in the recent finals, we all felt he richly deserved the following prize:

While others were too busy trying to find their names in the frame, I wasn't to be left behind. 

Yep....it's true. You see that little reflection at the bottom left of the plaque. That's me!!

I swear it guys. I was standing behind Pinki when he took this photograph. 

So, to summarize. A big 'Thank You' to Ajay for everything and a big 'Thumbs Up' to Pinkesh for that wonderful frame.

Till next time - Cheers!!

Author: Prasan 

Just an Intro...

Here is another blog on Cricket....or is it??
This is nothing but a few memories that we wish to share along our way, on what we would like to call 'A Journey'

In a country that is obsessed with the sport and where Cricket has become a religion, it is only fair that a group of guys (whose professions range from Engineers, MBA's and Program managers), get together and set out on a quest to do a little beyond just 'playing the game'. This is a site where we stop along, every now and then, and register a few special moments, which will not only narrate our story, but also help us treasure our experiences, in the years to follow.

Almost all of us, had our humble beginnings. As kids we started out playing with plastic bats and balls. With age, this cultivated into wooden bats with tennis and rubber balls. Soon, the typical Indian mentality of studies and work life set in, but the passion for the game never seemed to dwindle. Now, the playing fields have matured from tiny, narrow by-lanes to large pieces of barren land (with a mat and stumps in the middle) and the games have moved from small inter-colony skirmishes to corporate and club level cricket. 

At first, we went through a few seasons, which can best be described as disastrous and forgettable. But, under the valuable leadership of an inspirational captain, we had a fruitful season last year, where we consistently made it past the first round. This year, however, has been the best one so far. We won our first corporate cup, owing to a clever strategy we adopted, and then successfully made it through to the quarter and semi finals, where we were eliminated, almost every time, by a common enemy - DELL.

This weekend, another final beckons. The tournament is different, the ground is different, but the enemy is still the same. Will we be third time lucky? 
Only time will tell if we succeed, but atleast we would have the pleasure of saying - 'We tried'