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How To Reach

Randiv's Know-Ball

As two nations clung to their televisions, Indians hoped for a win that would equalize their position in the points table, while Srilanka looked for the same result to strengthen the same table. It was an exciting game from Indian cricket's point of view because the depleted bowling department came to the rescue of our team in a one-day game. That our batting is Himalayan is known, and the man who is arguably its everest went on to lash his freewill as he so often does. Virender Sehwag finished his innings with an unbeaten 99, and then the match became infamous. Sehwag raised his hands, Suraj Randiv knew what he had done, and the rest went berserk. What is now coming to be known as the Randiv No-Ball controversy, isn't a controversy at all. There is no bending of the rules, though the rule itself is bent. Nothing was left to interpretation, everyone played within limits.

Let's not give anything to the rules here. The match ended the moment Randiv released the ball at probably half-down-the-pitch, but the run should be counted for the result to happen. So, an extra was counted as a single, and then, what, that's that? What happens to the ball that is still flying off someone's bat? Why count the ball for the batsman, but not the runs off the bat? Doesn't facing a ball mean batting it? The Indian score should have read 177/4, the ball counted as faced by Sehwag, and 6 runs going to him, like it would have if the scores weren't level. Or, a no-ball should not be considered in the batsman's count at anytime, an extra conceded as a "foul" and the runs off the bat should be nullified.

Let's not give Sehwag anything here. Sehwag was probably the victim ... of nothing. He had three-balls before this for the one-shot that would take him there, and he didn't make it - strangely. The man usually does not need two balls for a six, even in test matches. He only needs to tell the ball to go over and it will. Four byes and two balls later, he had his chance. The only way he could not tell the ball to fly was if it was not a ball at all, and that's what Randiv made sure of. I can't tell if it is unsportsmanly to do that, may be it is. What if Sehwag had been bowled, inconsequential though, would we have created the same ruckus? The result would all be the same, but the mouths wouldn't. But nothing would matter to the man himself, he is probably already making plans for the next century.

Let's not give anything to Randiv either. He reminded me of the Axe Ad, I thought he was going to run all the way towards Sehwag. His front foot was well outside the crease, as if his entire concentration was to suddenly make sure the back foot did not cross it. But he spoiled the whole episode by meeting Sehwag in his room and asking for an apology. I wonder which is more unsportsmanly. He has done what he had done, why apologize? He joins the ranks of Trevor Chappell who denied New Zealand a chance at victory by bowling underarm. Is there a Greg Chappell in the Srilankan team who told him to do so? At least the Chappell brothers have not apologized yet for that incident and left the shame on the ground.

Cricket is so often plagued by controversies, that one has to wonder if it is anymore a gentleman's game. It is definitely not a gentle game anymore, at least. Teams want to win at any cost, fans want entertainment at any cost, and bowlers want a wicket at any cost. Randiv was probably too sensitive to hand over a victory along with a century, when he knew he had a way to give only one. What he bowled was not a no-ball, it was a know-ball.

Appa

Appa, this one is for you. Sincerely.

I twisted and turned in bed, not able to get your face off my mind. I wanted to see you at that moment, and realized the feeling meant I was missing you. It felt strange because I did not know anyone could miss a father, the relationship is usually taken for granted. And right there, I pressed the brakes of my life, closed my eyes though it was dark, and thought about all that you have given me. I realized all the selfless things you have done, things no-one else can ever do. I flash-backed to all those times when I should have faithfully followed you, holding your hand and moments when I should have laid my head peacefully on your shoulders. Trust was implicit.

Yes pa, I missed you so much, so suddenly. You were just a phone call away, but I cherished the thoughts so much, I did not want to disturb them. I have never expressed my love for you in words, and I do not know if I can, so I decided to remember and write them down in that rare emotional window of time.

I admire your orderliness pa, the sincere efforts you put in to maintain a semblance in everything. I am hardly the type. I like chaos more than discipline, but your efforts to grind every detail and put everything in its place stumps me. I know how much it comes handy when I want to look for the odd detail, and I admire your efforts when that lost paper that we search for hours shows up at last, filed away safely years ago.

I am envious of your patience pa. Now that I am supposed to be a grown up and lead my own life, I find myself out-of-breath and out-of-time often. I tend to rush things when I don't have time for them. Thinking how you would have handled the same situation puts me in the last spot in the queue-of-patient-men. I wish I have half your patience.

I am proud of your achievements pa. I know the modest roots, I know the efforts you invested to reach where you are, and I know what you could be. I have always tried to emulate your dedication towards my academics, and should say they have yielded results. I am proud of your intellect, and your tendency to help people. I am proud of your love for us and I know how fortunate I am. I am proud of your integrity, and the values that make you. I am proud of my initials.

I would be lost without you pa. You are there for me, always. You inspire me to carry on inspite of failures. You are "the given" that I come running to everytime I have an actual problem in the real world. You have withstood all my frivolous blunders, my teenage imprudence and my general irresponsibilties, brushing away all the hurt they should have caused you. You have stood by my side and handled my issues that I felt helpless about. Your assertiveness during times of my timidity (I wouldn't admit I was timid ever if I wasn't this emotional) has helped me go through hard hurdles. I leaned back against your pillar of support everytime I couldn't handle a mess I created. I still do pa.

I might have been insensitive at various points of my life, but the person you have made of me today isn't all that bad, given my eccentricities. And you make up for all my shortcomings like no father ever would. For that, I am truly indebted to you. Forever. A crying heart doesn't lie, and I tell you now that I respect you.

I wouldn't be where I am, if you weren't what you are. I love you.

Sravan