- In all these years of playing cricket, I can count the number of days where I was so excitingly looking forward to a game. There were two reasons for the anxiety and excitement through the night for this particular game. First of all, with only three games remaining for the season to qualify for the fourth spot, this is a crunch game where a Lion's victory will make it easy for the remaining two games. Secondly, apart from our Independence day (speaking for my Pakistani friends as well), today is the day my eldest brother, who brought so much of sunshine and love to my parents, was born 60 years ago.
After trying to convince my team throughout the season that am a far better player in the middle order where I can contribute for team success, I had a decent outing last weekend when we played against Tigers. Being the crunch game, I was determined to make a vital contribution and present a victory as a birthday gift to my beloved brother, assuming that I will be given an opportunity in the middle order for this game. Although I played OK last week, I was totally out of stamina and was gasping at the end of every run last week.
To make a contribution in this game, obviously I need to run well and stamina will not come just like that. Isn't it? For the first time in years, I did jogging in the morning, cycling in the evening everyday. I was determined indeed to make a vital contribution not only for team success but to present a victory to my brother who is the one put the seeds of cricket, taught the nuances of batting, how to play the game with passion and integrity etc.,
But the events of the day were totally different......
To start with, we lost tamely to MCC without any fight at all. But more importantly,not for the first time this season, I did not even get a chance to bat. Although I shrugged off the disappointment in front of my team mates and my dear Regal friends, it certainly hurt me extremely as I was driving back home. Trust me! it is never easy driving back home to see your family, waiting with anxiety as you walk in and say to them that your team did not win and that you did not do anything in the game. To state that I was disappointed is an understatement since this happened on my brother's birthday. Anyhow such feeling is becoming all too common nowadays. Am sure that there is more than one player who goes home with that feeling at the end of every game indeed. Am sure that each of them is shrugging their shoulder that he is a team player and that he will get to contribute next game.. That's the beauty of this wonderful team sport where disappointments only last a day.
Atleast I can't complain since not many guys get to play league cricket as they are about to reach a half-century age-wise. Count the blessings buddy.
----------------------- Lions vs. MCC -----------------------------------------------
Coming to the game itself (put into bat), although Dilanka made an extremely delightful 42 (remaining not out) with some superlative shots on the leg, Lions could only limp to 118 for 8 in 20 overs. Special mention about Anil, a wonderful team player, who drove six hours over the night to be present for this game. Considering that we were 37 for 5 in seven overs, it is really commendable that we made it to 118. Credit should be given to the MCC bowlers who bowled a tight off-stump line with very few short balls. Sailesh, after starting with two short balls that were despatched for boundaries, bowled well to get two wickets. My good friend, Rahul also chipped with two wickets while the rest of the bowers kept the runs in check.
Defending such a small target against a great team like MCC is very difficult indeed unless and until the bowlers bowl with discipline and fielding is top-notch. For the second game in running (after the last game against Tigers), the start was disastrous from Lions perspective. MCC made a racy start, thanks to the brilliance of Sandy, who as usual, was picking up the length so easily and dandily. Two half-trackers were dispatched disdainfully over mid-wickets for towering sixers, He was not done with that as he added one more sixer as he raced to 30+ within no time. Ranjuna bowled well to get the other opener LBW. After the fall of Sandeep (caught behind off Chamika), Adriel and Rakesh continued on their merry way, making 25+ within no time with some nice pick up shots. Game was over by the 12th over with MCC winning by 8 wickets. .
As much as I was happy to see some delightful shots and nice bowling, it was very disappointing that we lost so tamely and that I could not contribute anything despite feeling every inch that this could be one of my days. How sweet it would have been for my brother on his 60th birthday.
But, again, there is always a better tomorrow.
Now it's time to wait for the outcome of the other games over the weekend as United battle against Warriors while Knights battle against Tigers.
Go Lions,
Go Regal... - Shailesh Kumar Subbu - Thanks for the lovely post. I can understand your disappointment . But again, any kind of contribution matters. All your hard work over the week showed in your fielding which was good. Keep up your spirit. There are two more games to be played...See More
- Rahul Shandilya Raman Subramanian - we all have those days. If your team would have won, it might not have hurt so bad - I can understand your pain. Good luck to Lions for rest of the games ...
- Raman Subramanian You are absolutely correct Rahul Shandilya. That's why we love this game. Isn't it? Team triumphs over individuals. But when we lose, we tend to get disappointed over personal contribution if you feel that you could have contributed better to get...See More
- Shailesh Kumar haha.... Thanks Subbu. As always, dont lose heart and give it your best in the next game
Surinder Kumar Dhar Thanks Subbu, dont lose heart ,best of luck for rest of the games
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