Revisiting Chennai

The teams: India XI, Australia XI & Pakistan XI.

The moments: Two outstanding centuries; Two heart wrenching losses.

The man: Sachin Tendulkar.

Exactly 10 years ago, In the thick of our youth, a bunch of us college mates were out to watch India take on Pakistan. It was the last day of a test match, played under a grueling Chennai sun. Our mission? To make the most of the day, to cheer India to a win and to see the man bat - Sachin Tendulkar himself. Ten years into international cricket back then, he was the most sought after batsman for Indians and the most sought after wicket for all non-Indian cricketing nations world over.

And that day, boy, did he bat! Nursing an injury, crouching low between overs to rest his aching back, the man stood there amidst that crumbling fortress, tall and showing signs of immortality that many only dream of. He was fighting off persistent attacks and probing advances made by none other than the likes of one Mr. Wasim Akram, a certain Waqar Younis and a wily Saqlain Mushtaq. With just enough company from the other end of the wicket, the God of Cricket almost scripted an impossible victory.

We were rejoicing of course. A sullen slow morning session was followed by a boisterous second session. With Sachin making merry in the middle, we were dancing away to glory. "Gumthalakala kala kala kala - hooh haaah" would take turns with "Panamarathula vavvala, Sachinukke savaala". The former being a meaningless cacophony and the latter to say "Who are you challenging? Sachin?!!".

Then came the death knell. Within striking distance, with victory almost upon us, Sachin fell. The stadium, full of several thousand fans, was now dumb struck. Silence could be heard from a mile away. One of us mimicked the death knell being sounded. We didn’t want to look at each other. We didn’t have the heart. And the procession started and finished without much ado. India had lost the game.

Today, Hyderabad pulled a Chennai. Up against a behemoth total set by the Aussies, all of us had written off any chances of an Indian win. One little man, yet again, had different Ideas. Exactly 10 years later, 20 years into international cricket, Sachin was there, yet again. He scored a massive century , displayed the passion of a 16 year old debutant, showed the mastery of a 36 year old, went past a world record 17000 runs, put India back into the game and all of that, in the span of one evening. This innings had a surrealistic feeling about it, a dream being played live and yet re-awakened in me a sense of awe for this great man. The colossal figure that he is! And true enough, just like how it was 10 years ago, with just 13 runs to go after Sachin fell, India lost its way.

A friend of mine messaged to check on the result. I told him we lost. I also told him that Sachin scored 175 off 141. He said "But we lost, what difference does it make". You cant blame my friend after all, for such has been the reaction to Sachin from some of the fronts all along. I said "The loss doesn’t matter. To watch this Sachin innings in itself was a boon".

I feel sorry. Not for the loss(es), not for the moment(s), but for the man.

Passdowns from an enlightened soul

Enlightened soul: My mind is free of thoughts. There is a lot of clutter that I need to clear. But I switched them off. It may seem like I am preoccupied, but I am not. My mind is empty.

If I may add: That is bliss. That is enlightenment.

Enlightened soul: I can imagine a sphere or a ball around me. All my worries stand outside the ball. I am virtually untouched by them.

If I may add: You let them in only when it becomes inevitable.

Enlightened soul: No point worrying about anything in the first place, most times, it will fizzle out.

If I may add: Even if you do prepare to resolve a cause of worry, when the moment arrives, you would do something that is completely different - something you didn't think of.

Enlightened soul: You know, I have forgotten anger. I don't feel bogged down anymore. Something must be wrong. This is not me.

If I may add: Enjoy it. Don't think about it.

Enlightened soul: Do you see a halo?

If I may add: As long as the smile stays, the halo will stay :-)

God, Are you listening?

What do I want to do? If not now, eventually?

Maybe I wanna wield the megaphone?

Or perhaps pan in and out from behind the lens?

Or wait, should I put my shots together as an ed?

Maybe I jus wanna be a movie maker?

Or maybe write a book? A poem? A bunch of them?

Perhaps be the one people call a journalist?

And then what about my idea of being a teacher?

Or better yet, starting a school?

Once I thought of being in civil services,

I have missed that bus.

The other buses? When will they arrive?

Am I at the right stop or crossroad?

God, Are you listening?

Whatever it is, I don’t wanna be an engineer!!