Behind the Stumps

My family had moved to a new rented-house. The rented portion was on the right side of the main house. It was cool place as there were so many coconut trees around the house. There was an empty land right opposite to our house. So, we could get cool breeze especially in the early morning and in the late evening. The empty land was covered with green grass. It was nice to have a view of the greens in rainy days by sipping your coffee.

I was then thirteen years old, reserved and quiet boy. I wasn't an outgoing person. So, my siblings and I would play only indoor games with the house owner's children. Later I was introduced to other children on the street. We started playing outdoor games on that empty land. We were very happy playing outside. I mingled with them easily.

I would think why they cut all the other entertainment programs for the sake of telecasting Cricket live on the Television. I would feel bored whenever the Cricket played. I couldn’t understand its rules and didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t realize Cricket was the game that every Indian loves to see even sacrificing other things. But after my friends taught me how to play and included me in the team, I got interested into it so much.

The game didn't need much space and costly kit. We used to play on the street itself. It was really fun playing on the street and hitting the ball into the houses and broke the window glasses and the street lights. Whenever we broke the window glass we would hide in a few seconds and there would be no sign of play on the street. After some time, when we find no people complain we would get together one by one and try to break other windows. Even a small stick, a tennis ball and a strong wood as bat was enough for us. We would usually start with four or five boys. As the game progresses, many would join with us. Sometimes, we divide ourselves into more than two teams.

I'm proud to say that I was the opener in almost all the matches. Though I wasn't a big hitter, I would stand till the overs end. I score singles, doubles and occasionally boundaries. I could bowl spin as well. My spells were turning points in many matches that would change the game in our favour. Some times, I'd been behind the stumps as well. Being a wicket-keeper is fun and the only man can screen each and every ball.

I always wanted to lead the team. But hardly did I have the chance. Of course, being a captain is privilege to any one and I was no exception.

As the years pass, we're groomed to be a semi-professional team. We start competing against many teams. Irrespective of the results, we never stop playing the game. We're not a state level team. But we enjoy being even a street-level team.

Our audiences are the people nearby houses and some trespassers by the ground. We're proud to show our talent and enjoyment and to be a representative of our street.

We find it difficult to get money to buy bats and balls. Their cost can't be affordable. We share the expenses. Each one of us contributes as little money as we can.

I can't end this article not mentioning about a team. They're the next street boys. They compete with us many times. We can count their losses easily rather than their wins. They can afford only one or two games to be won. But they never give up. They keep playing with us. Hats off! for their perseverance.

Bernard Shaw once said about the cricket, “There are eleven fools playing and Eleven Thousand fools watching them". Cricket may not be a game that needs more physical activity. It may drive us to waste a whole day or five days. But it's all about fun. Above all it unites the people and helps to maintain a good relationship and keeps the national spirit alive.

Here, in India, we believe cricket is more than just a game, a religion that doesn't mind whether you're a Hindu, Christian or a Muslim and no caste at all. It says, “Be proud to be an Indian, a good audience, a cricketer even at street level.