This weekend, I happened to be on the other side of the fence- a spectator- for a local 20-20 cricket match my friends were playing in. Deccan Gymkhana gleamed in the winter sunlight. In the pavilion, the atmosphere was cool, pleasant, almost sleepy at times. Not all times, though. Players shouted encouragement, a few whistles were heard here and there, and the action on the ground was engaging. Twenty-twenty; so a lot of sixers and fours.
I realised that I used to do this fool thing a few years back. I could see the underlying tension then, the knot in the stomach when a wicket fell in the dressing room; the confabulations between the captain and some senior players;the silly superstitions coming out in full force and the hip hip hurrays when the game was won. The crazy thirst that happens to only a cricketer when water is a luxury which people outside just don't get. (why should they ask for drinks all the time? :))
I also realised that cricket was so enjoyable as a spectator sport, on the ground. There is something strangely calming about the game; something you don't see on TV.
From the other side of the fence, cricket is chess played on a green.
