The Satiny Park

‘Son, as now you are growing and soon will be a young man with all responsibilities in life, with Family,
with office, with loves, you should be sincere enough to leave Sport and take your path towards right
career. You will be left behind in this race and your fellow friends will be set in their life if you continue
your cricket anymore.
This is what almost every young Indian young boy hears.
Though I never had chance to listen this from my parent.
There was the time I had my Cricket kit by my bedside without demands. White jerseys as surprises.
Balls as everyday routine gift.
It was unknow privilege for me which I acknowledge at later stage.
Undoubtedly, I had a fascinating childhood. My early years were never boring, in fact, quite the
opposite. I can trace a lot of the stamina and inner strength that sustained me during my cricket career
to those early years, which were full of fun.
During the holiday period, I’d hurry down to the ground at 9 a.m. and would be out in the sun playing
for the rest of the day. Skipping Lunch became a habit.
The sweltering heat was never a distraction and I’d be out playing till late in the evening. In fact, even
after most of my friends had disappeared to their houses, I would be out alone trying to amuse myself. I
never use to listen when it was from my mom convincing me to come back home. But she too had a
trick to play and would ask my father to perform the task.
From playing gully to turf, I couldn’t realize my involvement and evolvement as a young man.
The transition from playing with a tennis ball to playing with a cricket ball happened under the watchful
eyes of No One. Most of them were by far the best organized in their approach to cricket, and that’s
why I took it easy as I never thought there is any competition.
When I turned 17 there were guys filling up forms for state level selection. I filled my form too as second
order batsmen. 17 th November 2003 was the date fixed for the selection in Kanpur.
Alike everyone I was excited too, not for the selection but to see the International Ground.
I had never thought of seeing or experiencing anything of that sort. There were thousands of Boys with
there bags all around. Discussing nuances of cricket in a very professional manner. I was far from such
thoughts as I never took my game to that level of understanding. I had just come with my basic Kit-
which did not even carry hip guard.
I was curious to know the numbers. Someone said there are 1400 players, from best of the institutes in
the state.
I had never batted in nets before and felt somewhat overawed with so many people around. When I was
asked to bat, I was not at all comfortable. With Rajesh Chauhan & Nikhil Chopra (Ex Indian Players)
watching us so closely, I became nervous.

Even by seeing from far I was able to sense Bowl briskly getting released from those giant palms of
Bowlers who were not lesser than visualized Ambrose. That speed left almost all batsman unbudgeable.
I used to keep a diary at the time that contained all the information from my past big tournament
performances. I was just reading those old numbers to keep my nerves down. After waiting for 4 hours
from morning 6:45 number E-54 was called. It was me.
I was nervous, real nervous. Young 17-year boy fighting within himself to perform at this stage. I reached
to the stumps’ withing no time.
Asked for the guard which I knew was in a very inappropriate manner.
I could clearly see a bowler standing far behind the stumps. He was almost 6ft if I could remember.
The very Fist delivery just passed in meteoric manner. I literally remember the smell of the leather.
It shook my legs. Left me numb. At that point I wished to cry out loud.
By the time he turned back for the next burn, I just told my inner self boy that I am not here to get
selected or compete, rather to enjoy my game and see where I stand.
Second delivery was no different from earlier but this time I somehow connected it well to pull.
I remember few people standing near the nets called it as a confident shot, but inner me was aware
about the truth.
I did well that day and got 250.
With this incident I learnt” Don’t let anyone treat you like a first slice of the bread”