When Pankaj B took a count at 8:15 AM, we were 6 and Sarvanan was just walking in. This meant we could play our version of single wicket where each batsman got to play 2 overs. An out meant -4 runs. With fewer fielders, the batsman was restricted to hit only on the off. We all tried our best to stay above water and not go in the negative. Pankaj managed 12 runs and would have taken the trophy had Raj not walked in a bit later. Raj went on to score 13 or maybe 15 runs and edged past Pankaj. Earlier Sarvanan surprised everybody with his power hitting. If it was in his arc the ball was sure to go flying over mid-wicket. Unfortunately he got out while stealing a run and his score got affected (-4).
Single wicket was quite fulfilling. Both the batsman and the bowler could experiment. The latter could try that spin delivery mechanism which they had been practicing in the backyard and the former could try the inside out shot and for once try to pull a Kohli (his inside-out shots are amazing) which Raj played to perfection today.
After one round of ‘number-number’, we decided to play a short game of 4 overs. Satish won the toss and asked Pankaj to bowl. The bowlers had to remind themselves that the experimentation period was over, now they had to bowl properly and try to restrict the batsmen. At the same time the batsman had to tell themselves that a wicket meant get out and not just lose 4 runs on the scoreboard. It was going to be interesting. Sarvanan and Raj continued to bat well. Being restricted on the off-side the Sarvan was the only batsman without being disadvantaged (for those who don’t know Sarvanan is lefty and so the off-side restriction didn’t change anything for him ; a note for next time) and he continued to play his usual shots. He was aided well by Raj and Satish and they made 15 odd runs in 4 overs. Pankaj’s team played cautiously. Mayur and Abhi S negotiated Raj and Anand (new player, Abhi S’s friend) well. Sarvanan troubled the batsman a lot, who could not get the ball to go on the offside, if at all he was lucky enough to make contact with the ball. The captains finally took it upon themselves in the final over to see their respective teams through. Satish bowled from Bryan end, while Pankaj B took a stance at the crease. The latter made 3 runs from the first 3 deliveries. He needed 2 from the last 3. They scored 1 on the 4th ball and then Pankaj B hit the winning run when he pushed the ball past Sarvanan standing at mid-off.
Overall it was an entertaining single wicket followed by a short 4-over game. Today we experimented, tried to play the inside out shot and tried to quickly adapt to a 4-over match. Today Abhi S’s claims of playing cricket on Sundays was put to test by a fellow Stonegater. Upon Abhi S’ invitation when he walked in he was expecting to see at least 22 pliers on the ground. If not 22 then maybe at least 15 or in the worst case 10. But here we were 5 welcoming him to the ground. He seems to ba good p;ayer (Senthil, are you listening), can bat bowl and field well. To top it all, today we just couldn’t get the ball to stick to our hand or field properly. Overall not such a good first impression. Hopefully he comes back, Pankaj B tried his best to convince him to give us another shot, pun intended. He repeatedly told him that we have a much better crowd on most Sundays and even have a ‘sutta with tea’ session after the game. I am not sure if he believed Panaj B, but I think next time Abhi S is not going to tell anybody anymore that he plays cricket on Sundays and even if he does he is not going to give them the correct address. Today’s comic relief was provided by Althaf when he channeled his inner Salman to respond to Raj when he appealed Althaf’s ‘wide’ decision (he was the wicketkeeper-umpire). Althaf nonchalantly implied, ‘You think it was not wide, that’s fine. Congratulations. But it is’. He was basically saying ‘ek baar jo maine decision de diya, to main khud ki nahi sunta’. For more such on-the-ground bollywood action please join us next Sunday.