Continuing the theme of Abhinav's cricket camp, I am writing about the first ever cricket match that Abhinav participated in.
It was held in a smallish ground on a matting wicket. It was to start at 10.30am but rain played a spoilsport and they started almost 45 minutes late. Abhinav was very excited about his first match and was a bit confused as to what to expect. He had me do some catching practice as well as fielding practice with him, as his coach had asked him to do. He wore his entire ensemble at home one to get used to it one more time.
It reminded me of my 1st match in the camp. I remember being very nervous, trying hard to not have sweaty hands and not to fumble. I remember we batted first and while I don't remember how many runs I scored or whether I muffed any balls while fielding, I do remember my heartbeat was pretty fast that day. I am assuming I must have done ok since I don't remember being sent for 1 round of running for not doing well. :-)
In short, I knew what Abhinav must have been going through. In addition, Abhinav is at least 1.5 to 2 yours younger than what I used to be when I played my first match. His team had to bat first on a wet day with outfield having puddles of water. All the kids looked quite cute. You could tell that while they wanted to win the match, they were in it for the love of the game and nothing else. That was so refreshing to see since nowadays you see players wanting to win at any cost. That throwback mentality of playing for the love of the game is lost.
I think Abhinav's team scored 154 in 25 overs. The best thing started when Abhinav's team were fielding. I was watching Abhinav to see what he does in the field. At first, he stood wherever he was told to field with his hand in the back. I think he realized that that was the wrong thing to do since you have to be loose while fielding and be ready to pounce on the ball. He also had his two hands together (in namaaz style) since I had taught him that that's how he has to catch the ball. I guess it got lost in translation that the posture was only when he was in a catching position. :-)
Few things really got me happy:
1/ Whenever anyone took a wicket the whole team ran from wherever they were just to hug . It wasn't just the bowler. I think it was just whoever they could find to hug - a joyous occasion for them.
2/ Whenever a ball was hit, about 5-6 kids would run after it from multiple positions. It was hilarious to say the least.
3/ When Abhinav once fielded the ball well and immediately threw to the stumps to prevent a run, the coach appreciated and had everyone clap. He was so happy that even at home he was explaining how the ball came to him, how he stopped it and immediately threw it as Sir had told him to do.
4/ Even at the end of a sapping match in which Abhinav's team lost the match in the last over, when they shook hands and said "Well played", you could see that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
You know little things in a playing field give so much joy to kids. As you grow older competitiveness, jealousy, etc take over. I still love the game of cricket and still love the traditional part - perfect technique, appreciation of a shot executed regardless of who plays it etc. Yes, I love to win and I hope Abhinav does as well. However, I want to win it with ability, execution and preparation and not by other means.
It was held in a smallish ground on a matting wicket. It was to start at 10.30am but rain played a spoilsport and they started almost 45 minutes late. Abhinav was very excited about his first match and was a bit confused as to what to expect. He had me do some catching practice as well as fielding practice with him, as his coach had asked him to do. He wore his entire ensemble at home one to get used to it one more time.
It reminded me of my 1st match in the camp. I remember being very nervous, trying hard to not have sweaty hands and not to fumble. I remember we batted first and while I don't remember how many runs I scored or whether I muffed any balls while fielding, I do remember my heartbeat was pretty fast that day. I am assuming I must have done ok since I don't remember being sent for 1 round of running for not doing well. :-)
In short, I knew what Abhinav must have been going through. In addition, Abhinav is at least 1.5 to 2 yours younger than what I used to be when I played my first match. His team had to bat first on a wet day with outfield having puddles of water. All the kids looked quite cute. You could tell that while they wanted to win the match, they were in it for the love of the game and nothing else. That was so refreshing to see since nowadays you see players wanting to win at any cost. That throwback mentality of playing for the love of the game is lost.
I think Abhinav's team scored 154 in 25 overs. The best thing started when Abhinav's team were fielding. I was watching Abhinav to see what he does in the field. At first, he stood wherever he was told to field with his hand in the back. I think he realized that that was the wrong thing to do since you have to be loose while fielding and be ready to pounce on the ball. He also had his two hands together (in namaaz style) since I had taught him that that's how he has to catch the ball. I guess it got lost in translation that the posture was only when he was in a catching position. :-)
Few things really got me happy:
1/ Whenever anyone took a wicket the whole team ran from wherever they were just to hug . It wasn't just the bowler. I think it was just whoever they could find to hug - a joyous occasion for them.
2/ Whenever a ball was hit, about 5-6 kids would run after it from multiple positions. It was hilarious to say the least.
3/ When Abhinav once fielded the ball well and immediately threw to the stumps to prevent a run, the coach appreciated and had everyone clap. He was so happy that even at home he was explaining how the ball came to him, how he stopped it and immediately threw it as Sir had told him to do.
4/ Even at the end of a sapping match in which Abhinav's team lost the match in the last over, when they shook hands and said "Well played", you could see that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
You know little things in a playing field give so much joy to kids. As you grow older competitiveness, jealousy, etc take over. I still love the game of cricket and still love the traditional part - perfect technique, appreciation of a shot executed regardless of who plays it etc. Yes, I love to win and I hope Abhinav does as well. However, I want to win it with ability, execution and preparation and not by other means.
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