Monday, May 4, 2009

Is this a bad dream?

It's been more than 24 hours and yesterday's loss still hurts. After the game, as I shook hands with the skipper, I felt a tinge of guilt. The pain of loss was evident in the Skip's eyes. For all the uncomplimentary things I may have written about him, the guy definitely gave it his best. It's just that he had to handle a lot more baggage than he was prepared for. The worst part is, he didn't create any of the baggage, it was handed to him. He inherited a fractured squad, bloated egos, a string of hangers on, a demanding owner, and an unforgiving public. After the game, the skipper addressed all of us. He spoke of his failure as a player and a leader, owned up responsibility, promised everyone a chance to show his mettle, and encouraged us to take one game at a time.

It was amusing watching the coaching staff yesterday while the game was on. While our fielding coach was busy browsing naukri.com, our Throwing Coach accusingly glared at our Wicket-keeping coach every time Skipper and Buddhiman Baba had their slip ups in the outfield. After the match our bowling coach and our assistant coach were discussing whether Fake IPL Player is responsible for the dropped catches. I am waiting for the day Bhookha blames global warming for our performance.

We flew in to Durban today. This tour now seems like a hazy, repetitive dream. We wake up, go to the ground, get bashed around, return, go to sleep, wake up, fly into another city, get bashed around again, go to sleep... and the sequence continues. Will this ever end? Will I ever wake up? Chatterjee Kaku, jabaab deen.

After several false alarms, Calypso finally left us. Although, we didn't quite get the party he promised, it was nice of him to stay back for the extra game. A game in which he scored 17, went wicketless and dropped a sitter. Thanks for staying, Maan.

The Kiwi coach will also leave us tomorrow after the game. He's had a highly educative few days, marked with a very sharp learning curve, and he leaves with a halo around his head now. As he gathers all the pearls of wisdom he has collected and takes the Kiwi team to the T20 WC, we all know who the most dangerous team in that competition is going to be. All the best Mr. Mole. If you need any any assitance, our coach will soon be available.

Before we boarded the flight, news went around that Bhookha isn't happy with just 4 foreign players allowed in the 11. That's a valid point actually, and I think all of us owe him an apology. Sorry Mr. Naan. We forgot to tell you that this is the INDIAN premier league.

Skipper has promised some of the benchwarmers a chance in the next few games. Hope I get one too. Will keep you guys posted.

4 comments:

DG said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
I think, therefore I am. said...

your sad way narrating bringing out humour is unique.. i pity the side with phoren baba's, lordie on one side and you on the other side making the effort to keep dildo's team at the bottom, i m glad though... cos i m a bevdaa supporter.. my team isn't goin to finish last this time too.. keep up the good work... wouldn't be surprised if batliwala's paying u for this/...

Rigga said...

not as good as pervious blogs....

mathaidental said...

if only u could make the code names a bit easier for us