It’s so easy to fall into routine. Wake up, eat, surf the web, eat some more, read, eat a mango, hang around, eat some more, watch cricket, sleep. Rinse, lather, repeat.
Cricket is the national sport of India. It’s the only sport in India. Cricketeers are treated like celebrities, and after the ICC World Cup – that India won! – these men have been elevated to superstardom. Since the Indian Premier League (IPL) is in its final, exciting stages, there’s cricket on TV just about every night.
Tonight, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took on Chennai here, at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
And man, I hardcore felt the Bangalore pride. RCB absolutely creamed them. Dhoni couldn’t do a thing.
Cricket is a strange sport – I’ll give you that. During test matches, there are tea breaks, and the end of the day is determined by a light meter. The umpire wears a round wide-brimmed hat and uses terminology like ‘googly’ and ‘sticky wicket’.
Cricket is a gentlemen’s sport. Players wear vests and slacks and have good sportsmanship. They drink tea and clap for particularly good plays.
But cricket is such an exciting sport.
Every ball brings the promise of massive swings and great dives; the thrill of hitting a six or getting clean bowled; feats of incredible athleticism and endurance.
I think I like it so much because my grandfather introduced me to cricket. He absolutely loved it. I remember curling up on the sofa, watching matches with him. I remember coming downstairs and seeing him peer through a large magnifying glass at the morning newspaper to get the latest scores. I remember when my brother got new cricket gear, and the three of us spent the whole day outside hitting balls.
What I wouldn’t give to go back to those days.
In the meantime, here’s to RCB winning the IPL!
-May 22nd
No comments:
Post a Comment