Celebrating away from home

Hello guys. I am back again. One of my readers told me that if I continue writing like this, that too about girls, I am sure I am not gaining anything, but going to lose a lot. I will lose all my male readers it seems. A study tells that males are very jealous of other males’ success. That too importantly if it is in the field of having girls around them. So even if girls are ditching you, their proximity to you is killing them. So better now, stop the stories of girls in your life. And really I gave it a thought, and found that the responses have decreased like hell. Even when my editors confirm that the writing style and content has become so much polished now. So may be it’s time to listen to this well wisher, and stop my stories on girls. Neither that this is some publicity stunt, nor have the stories of girls dried up, but still I will just take a break from that. And this piece will be dedicated to all my male friends. J

First scene, it’s your birthday today. You are away from your home. Friends have lined up to wish you. They are all forcing you to give a big treat. You all together enjoy it. You have tremendous fun. Second scene, it’s your birthday today and you are at your home. From morning the affection and blessings showered on you by your family members are immeasurable. Mummy will be all set to prepare all those special dishes, which you like, even when dad has a bad tongue for them. Their eyes always pouring love on you, may not be as fun-filled as scene one, but surely lot more comfortable and satisfying to our heart. The protection and support which we get back at home will be always missing elsewhere. I am sure you guys know it; IPL is in South Africa this time, and not back home. L

This year I had made up my mind that however it is, I will go to watch at least three matches in stadium. Last year, we, a group of ten people had gone to see the match between Bangalore and Hyderabad. Those people had reached before us, and never kept seats for us. * Finally, we three were isolated in a place, but the fun was immense. Last over, and Kumble was bowling it. Hyderabad still needed twenty runs to win. Two huge sixes had turned the way the match was poised. Six needed of two balls. Another big hit and it would have been all over. I could hear the advices given by so many people around, in Kannada, English, and Hindi. Single off next ball, and Bangar was off strike. Kumble saved further blushes and we won finally by 3 runs. Even when we were not able to see the players so clearly, the environment there was so much electrifying. All of us had a feeling that it was because of our cheering up and encouragement that we won the match, and we should be given man of the match, instead of Praveen Kumar. I could feel those goose bumps when that situation has arrived. I was just thrilled. But this year, those all plans were washed into the gutter. Some political drama, and some hustle and bustle, and IPL moved to South Africa. I can not even dream of attending IPL2 now. Onsite opportunity can be the only way, but I am too distant from that also. They are not willing to send me to Nepal also; South Africa is a dream in the day.

Like all other big events, IPL2 also was full of different controversies. Shuffling and reshuffling of schedules didn’t help. Loss of Modi in RCA elections, and indifference between the BJP ruled and Congress ruled states made sure that the IPL2 and Lok sabha polls are not feasible together, due to security reasons, mind it. But there was no other better window available to hold this, so was shifted to South Africa. Next headlines were the old love story between Saurav Ganguly and Australian coaches. John Buchanan, Kolkata Knight Riders coach, came with a new idea of having multiple captains. This was just a stunt to remove Dada from the captaincy, and they couldn’t have done it at Eden Gardens. So it was a great opportunity from them, and they did it. Brendon McCullum is the new captain. Similar thing happened in Bangalore too, but Mallya was frank with Dravid, and that seemed to be genuine. Then king Khan, the owner attacked the criticism of Sunil Gavaskar, the legend, and even advised him to own a franchise, and give his inputs there. Clearly, money was speaking here, and he understood it very soon and apologized for the same.

A great dinner party on the eve of IPL kick-off, great carnival planned, and scantily dressed Mandira Bedi, who assured that she will get her woolen clothes from suitcase, because it was very cold there, marked the opening of IPL2. Two matches on the first day, followed by a formal opening ceremony were held. In first match, Sachin Tendulkar held up his nerves and guided his team Mumbai Indians to a win against last year runners up, Chennai. In second match under lights, there was a bigger upset, when Royal Bangalore thrashed champions Rajasthan Royals in a royal encounter. Bangalore started on a sad note, and somehow posted a respectful total thanks to Dravid alone. As if he was playing to prove a point. And after he got to his half century, the way he rejoiced, and his gesture was enough to tell that he was pointing his bat to no other than Vijay Mallya. Later in bowling department, also we were looking charged up. Kumble who has best bowling figures for India in test (against Pakistan) and ODI’s ( 6-12 against WI) continued the trend, and achieved the hat trick of best figure in all three formats. He took 5/5 and the lower order perished under him. Even when Jesse could not do much with his bat, chances are bright after having an all rounder like him in ranks. So, the Rajasthan was down on the mats and we won by whopping seventy-five runs. Hurray. Great chances to book a top four birth this time. J

There is always a big discussion that if T20 is good in the interest of game or not. Test matches can never lose its class. But life has become so fast, and competitive that it’s tough for people to catch it on all five days. Still there is a craze, for ashes tour, or down under tour, or even all other tours where Indians go overseas. ODI’s also never lost its stature. What they are losing is just fan following, that too from stadium. But T20 is like a boon in disguise in current day scenario. Just around four hours, and you can get every worth of your penny. Entertainment factor is also taken care of. Great music between the over’s, and hot cheerleaders jumping in almost nothing, makes this a fun event. There are a few people who discuss about these cheerleaders more, next day on breakfast table, than the game. Hmmm. He is reading it. He he he.

But it’s really bad when we are doing the prostitution of this fun-filled game too. They have introduced a 7-1/2 min break after every ten over’s of match, calling it as strategy break. In fact this break is used to have a bigger business, by attracting the multimedia people and offering those time slots, so that they can air the project. They told that a part of this amount will be given under charity, that was also a different business altogether. That break can change the tempo of team as well as the spectators. We have already seen this in the match of Punjab and Delhi. The moods of teams were different after the break. I am not sure if it’s good for game, but I think it’s ruining the fun.

Teams are looking good this IPL, with new faces in. Australia seems to play like a nanny’s role. They have advised most of the players to avoid IPL, named others in their squad, even when they are injured, and people like Shaun Tait, have been told to move out in last minute. Maybe they want to save their exposure before T20 World Cup. Good strategy, all the best. Top four teams should be Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. Korbo, lorbo, haarbo re should come at last. Deccan at fifth position, Mohall at sixth and Rajasthan at seventh, is my prediction. One good thing that these organizers have done is to retain the telecast timings of the matches. We can still come out of office and watch the fun, on TV (L) at least. The oldies like Sachin, Dravid and Kumble doing well has given a hint that this IPL, experience will matter. Pitches are going to help bowlers too, not like previous IPL where bowlers were treated like Slum dog Millionaires (Slum dog because of their treatment on field, and millionaires because what they had earned).J

The only other difference I can see from IPL version 1.0 is, that this time, they are forced to attract spectator and lure them to see the match. In India, they never had to do that at least. People were themselves so much crazy about this. They were requesting for more tickets in fact. This is a country where cricket is a religion, and Sachin is god (national) and Dada is god (local) too. Here you don’t have to remind people about cricket, yeah you may have to stop them from doing so. Hope IPL3 is back to India, and I can fulfill my dreams of 3 matches in stadium.

By the time I finished this blog, Delhi beat Punjab in rain-affected match, and Hyderabad whitewashed Kolkata. Bangalore waiting for return leg with Chennai like last year. J And yeah, MAN U lost in FA cup semifinal. Their dreams of quintuple gone, but never mind it. Even when Chelsea fans can be happy for a moment, let me tell you, there were 8 non regular players in the team. J. And still they dragged it till penalty shoot out. And because of two regular players, they eventually lost it. Huh. Non regulars were better for FA platform. Sir Alex, better luck next time. This time, lets be happy with quadruple. J

*The story’s different and exaggerated version by one who was among those seven who never kept a seat for us:
"Last year, we, a group of ten people had gone to see the match between Bangalore and Hyderabad. Three of them reached 2 hours prior to the game and tried to hold some seats for rest all. But after seeing a group of local guys almost tearing into 2 other guys for trying to hold one seat, they came to a conclusion that this wasn't a great idea. They had to hold seats for 7 of the remaining guys!! And cramping a single girl in between that space with those local guys around didn't sound cool either. The other 4 reached a good half hour before the match and got hold of some remaining good seats. And then the 3 of them (including me). Yap. As usual they came Royally late. Just in time for the match. And expected others to have kept some good seats for them! But luckily they got some because of one big hearted guy (what a joke), who at least held off a few people to get them 3 seats. Finally, we three were isolated in a place. The other 4 in a better place. And the remaining 3 in the best place possible. Right above the cheerleaders!! Can you believe that! And yap. The fun was immense. For us too. :( "