Howzzat!

 

The last few weeks have been quite so filled with IPL that it is imperative for me to pen down a couple of thoughts I had on this. It so happened that I went to see it live at the Ferozshah Stadium, Kotla, Delhi on three occasions this season.

This was the first time I had got the experience of watching the players live from the stadium instead of seeing them on the idiot box. To begin with, thirty seven thousand other people to watch the same match...loud & peppy hits on the stadium's audio systems to pump up the atmosphere...cheering & making noise to cheer the players...not to forget the cheer leaders dancing away to glory.....the stadium made to believe it is still day under the huge floodlights...beaming with so much energy that it is almost impossible for 2 people to have any kind of conversations...

Seats aren't too homely, but who cares. In fact, on all three occasions I saw a lot of people watching the match standing only. Fortunately for them, it’s only a three and half hour affair.

Soon enough (actually after 2 hours, as we were in the stadium way before the start of the match to get the seats with the best view) the match begins...

LIGHTS, MUSIC…CRICKET….!!!

It is a treat for the spectators when the batsmen start playing the big shots and score boundaries...even the levels of fielding were truly international.

Its while watching this, this thought came in my mind...

The weight of the expectations of the team members, management and crowd is so much on the players that they have to perform under whatever be the given situations. While I haven't played too much cricket and have no experience of the same at any level of playing (state level or higher), I still understand that it requires a lot of mental strength and you need to push yourself aggressively to mentally demolish the opposition. I am sure you all agree (considering Indians are a cricket crazy nation and each Indian is a born commentator). Stares, harsh words all flow on both sides in the heat of the moment. 

Look at Viru (Virender Sehwag). Come what may, he doesn't change his natural aggressive style of playing..whether is a T20, one day or a test match. He misses out on almost 50% of the occasions but to me he is a hero. His mere presence rocks the confidence of the opposition. He plays his natural game not to be bogged down by any kind of pressure of failure. Now that is ability and attitude. Some of us might feel that he needs to change (we all are living in a democratic country and are free to express our opinion)

I am not going into too many examples but look at Sachin Tendulkar..he is the epitome of endurance and discipline. He’s been playing for 23 years…sometimes his co-players are younger than his experience! Every time he comes to bat, the country prays for him to score another cricketing feat. Will someone ever be able to break his records….ONLY TIME WILL TELL!

And I happen to witness the ‘Gayle” storm hit Delhi with 14 Sixes…it was phenomenal. It just blew away the bowlers. Gosh, cant imagine what would have been going through the fielding captain’s team. He had only two options….either to curse his luck or to enjoy this wonderful batting by the Carribean Maestro. Ironically, this Orange Cap wearer doesn’t play for his national team in West Indies. Irony of sorts….I am sure that this would be a big loss to West Indian Cricket team. He's a true ambassador of the IPL...their motto...when Talent meets Opportunity!

I leave you all this message…i am sure a lot of us would have already read it earlier but it's worth going through again.

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.

·  Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.·  Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.·  Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

Howzzat!!!