I stretched my arms in air… I felt relived and a dream lived… air punches all around… high fives and hugs… we had won the match!!!
We were already out of the tournament but still had one inconsequential match to play. A match with no academic value. But we decided to play it. Play it for honor as even though we were knocked out; we were not as bad as the point table showed us. But we had another problem to tackle. Since we were already out, many people opted out. We were terribly under staffed. Thanks to Anu, Srini and Vidya to pitch in. we manage to cross the minimum no of players mark. We pitched a team of 8 against a full strength team.
It started well. We got my favorite ground. The ground in which I haven’t lost any match so far. Even though we lost the toss, we got to bowl as per our plan. Since we had only three bowlers, it was decided that I will bowl the first over and then remaining 9 will be split between the regulars. So as the ball was tossed to me, I stepped up for the challenge.
Right arm round!!!
0 0 Wide W
Ritesh 0(4) caught Lokesh bowled Kant.
-- Pitched it short. The ball was turning away from leg stump. Ritesh gloved it to the keeper. And Lokesh takes a regulation catch. It could have been another wide if he had left it.
We were on fire. We contained the runs in the first half of the innings and I finished with a satisfactory bowling figure of 3-0-2-14. SAP team then went on to set a stiff target of 79 in 10 overs.
Though the target was 15 runs more than our anticipated target, we hurdled up to focus on the chase.
Vik and Pradeep opened the innings and Vik stepped on the gas paddle from the word go. Two brilliant 6s and few 4s off Vik’s blade. We were cruising fine at a RR of 8 when SAP sent back our top three batsmen in quick succession. We had 45 more runs to chase in 5.2 overs. Not bad; just that if we had lost another wicket then our tail-end would have been exposed.
We were hanging on with a thin thread of hope. I walked in with the feeling of nothing to loose. All that I had in my mind was to play out all the remaining overs; without any risk and loosing my wicket. First ball was Yorker length and I managed to get my bat down just in time. Point fielder shouted,”Dravid is in. No worries. Can’t hit 4s and 6s. Game is ours”. I just ignored the comment and focused harder. Pradeep waved and assured me that things gonna be just fine. Still, I got beaten on the next bowl.
Thank god!! We were still in the game.
Slowly and steadily, we paced our innings. Varun was revelation; definitely find of the series for us. It was majestic watching him play. We complemented each other very well. Defended when the bowl was good and serve the treatment it deserved it was bowled short or slow or fuller.
23 off 18 balls was what we needed and we reached the target in 12 balls. I was amazed by the concentration I had during the match. Never had I lost hope during those dying moment and I was absolutely focused to cross the line.
Reflecting now, I find sense in what big sportsman say about preparing for a match. Ever since Lokesh said that we will open the bowling with you, I had imagined myself bowling stump to stump, containing the batsmen and taking wickets. Though the fashion in which I dreamt of taking wickets didn’t happen, I was more than happy to take a few any which way. While batting, each and every stroke I played that day was so well rehearsed in my mind that it looked effortless.
Let me confess something here. I am not a good batsman. Though I might be absolutely perfect in practicing the shots in air, when I comes to playing, I am just another guy whose only intention is put the ball across the boundary every time.
That particular day and match taught me about power of dream and belief. Those little sessions of dreaming and un-diverted focus were enough for me to hold myself and play an inning of my lifetime. I think for anyone to succeed, three things are essential:
a. Dream of succeeding - Mental conditioning is very important.
b. Focus - Don’t listen to what your competitor says. Just observe them if need be. They are there to just divert your focus. Stay focused.
c. Try as if you have nothing to loose. – Empower your senses. The sense of loss is the big mood breaker.
I am sure I would like to practice this style in other walks of life too. Anyone who reads this, I would request that you too practice these three simple mantras and I am sure you would good for yourself.
