Uncharacteristically Analytical

I know I've been absent for a very long time now. To put it simply, I've been suffering from 'Writer's block'. Inspiration to write has come around, once again, through the very very special people in my life. There was endless counselling to go with the most pleasant surprise of a brand new diary, all of which came from people whom I hadn't even spoken to about this. I then realized two things. First, I realized that I am surrounded by special people, and that simply goes to reflect on good choices which I am glad I have made. Secondly, I realized that there were people in the world who understood and liked my writing and the joy that I get from it. Needless to say, this is indeed special.
  Today, however, I'd like to explore a horizon which is completely new to me. I haven't ever written on any public affairs or controversy, but one of my greatest passions is cricket. I'd like to take this opportunity to take a closer look into all the controversy surrounding the pitch that was prepared for the third Test between India and South Africa in Nagpur. If you've been reading newspapers or are, like me, a regular on ESPNcricinfo, you would know that there has been a lot of reactions to the pitch that was prepared, and what the meant for the cricket that was played. It began with current and former players from other countries slamming India for preparing pitches that ruin Test cricket, and ended with the ICC officially giving it a 'poor' rating.
  In between, however, we saw some reactions from the Indian players, in strong defense of the Nagpur pitch. They used the examples of the Day-Night Test match which just concluded in Adelaide and the Trent Bridge Ashes Test that took place earlier this year. This reference was made to show if other countries could prepare pitches to suit their home teams, Indian curators were well within their rights to do the same. Yes, the fact is, whether it's the pace and bounce in Australia, the seam in New Zealand, the swing, seam or sideways movement of England or the bounce of South Africa, each country has a trademark attached to their pitches, clearly made to suit their home teams. India, along similar lines, prepare pitches that assist their spinners. This isn't wrong by any means. But according to many, including the ICC, Nagpur pitch was a real desperate attempt to 'win at all costs'.
  After reading all this, and finding that it all made sense on some level, it so happened that I switched on the TV to find the highlights of the Nagpur Test. I then decided to watch the highlights and make a judgement for myself. Among this, there was the wicket of AB de Villiers in the first innings, caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Then, there was Simon Harmer, who bowled by a carrom ball from R Ashwin that turn the other way sharply from outside leg stump to knock off the middle stump. Then, in the second innings, there was a ball bowled to Faf du Plessis which got super sharp turn and bounce. Last, and perhaps for once, the least, the wicket of Hashim Amla to a similar delivery from Amit Mishra.
 Apart from these deliveries, based on the highlights, no other batsman from either side seemed to be a victim of the demons in the pitch. The remaining wickets were off deliveries very much normal and accepted for subcontinent conditions. This just goes to show that it was, rather than anything else, a combination of good spin bowling and some poor shot selection from all the batsman who played. In fact, to further disprove the 'poor' rating, I can't help but look back at the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the first innings. He was set up beautifully by a series of out-swingers from Morne Morkel, leading to him pulling out an expansive off-drive off the next ball only to find it coming back into him and rattling his stumps, leaving him in a total state of shock. This wasn't the pitch. This, if anything was Test Cricket at its very best, proving why all true cricket enthusiasts love this format. The other batsman too, played some really poor shots, most noteworthy Ajinkya Rahane again and Faf du Plessis in the second innings.
  I'd finally (sorry about that :P) like to conclude by saying that one look at the highlights is all that it took for me to understand that whatever happens in the final Test in Delhi, both teams have serious work to do in the batting department, while India should be able to celebrate a well-earned series win.

P.S; As I finish, the fourth Test in Delhi is about to start, lets see what unfolds there!

A 'Holiday' at Home

It had been a month since I had left home for college, but barely ten days since I had come to terms with things, when I found myself at a very unusual, yet special milestone. That's right, it was time for me to go home, for a 'holiday'. Yes, having been at home my entire life and having travelled to a lot of places for vacation, but I couldn't have ever imagined my own house as a holiday destination. But, oh well, that's life, I guess, and that's just how it is after moving to a hostel.
     As luck would have it, the overnight bus ride from Chennai to Bangalore would see me being accompanied by my dad, hence making things slightly more familiar. After catching some sleep on the ride, I woke up, and I looked out the window. I saw Electronic City and the long flyover on Hosur Road, and it kicked in. I was in Bangalore City once again. The combination of excitement, relief and nostalgia showed in the form of genuine content at returning home, even for a holiday, if I might add.
    Soon after, I finally reached my hotel ( Home Sweet Home!) and checked in to my hotel room (my new bedroom at home) for three days and two nights. Yes, the room felt like a hotel room for real, for my bedroom is now the property of my brother. But the best part of all, after one long month in the hostel, was the daily breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet set up by none other than my own mother (The kitchen), commonly referred to by most of my college friends as 'Ghar ka Khana'. My brother's hotel was one floor below mine, enabling to catch up with him after such a long time with relative ease. He is someone I ought to have given a lot more credit than I have, for how amazing he is and how good he is to me. Nearby in the same resort were some of my old friends, and I was very lucky to catch up with them. They, along with their families, seemed really happy to see me, or at least I'd like to believe so. There was that tiny place where I played cricket, and it was still there waiting for me to come with my bat and take guard. Of course, this 'holiday' would not have been complete without at least one trip to Corner House, where I was always up for getting my share of 'Death By Chocolate' that always left me wanting more.
      Well, apart from doing many things and catching up with a lot of people, the part I enjoyed most about going home was sitting poolside with my mom, and having those long conversations that only my mom and I both could have. There were also those familiar chats with dad, about my course and my new life and motivation to focus on the bigger goal in the wake of everything else that I would face along the way. Playing with my brother, and talking about those things that stay just between us, and then choke-slamming each other for fun, all had a part to play as well. I guess just living life the way I used to, doing those little things that saw to it that on the final afternoon, before I had to return, I really didn't want to. It also made me feel like I had never left in the first place.
      But on that afternoon, it was indeed time for me to check out of my 'hotel' and return 'home'. That's right, I had to leave my home and return to the hostel and college. It was hard. But I thought I had done a fairly decent job of handling it this time, which confirmed for me, as mentioned in my last post, that the umbilical cord was finally cut.
     That was how my first college holiday ended. For the very first time, a holiday did not end at home. It was different, but that is how it would be in the years to come, as I would soon find out.

Cutting the umbilical cord!

I had paid my first visit to a doctor since I joined college. I was having some difficulty breathing, and I wanted to figure out why. When the doctor suspected high levels of stress, he asked if I was away from home for the first time, to which I responded with the affirmative. He then told me something that left me thinking even till today. He said, "Looks like umbilical cord still hasn't been cut in your case."
    I had my cousin with me for company in that hospital as we collapsed laughing. However, it was all, in that moment alone. I later realized he was making a very valid point. I have a relationship with my parents that I honestly consider myself very lucky for. I had a brother who made me laugh and drove me insane in equal measure, but he was also one I wouldn't have any other way. It had taken a different turn once I had left the house, and I was still living in the fear of that sudden change. When life changes, and turns into it a whole new world that's entirely different from what you knew, the mixture of confusion, fear, and excitement is the feeling that begins to dominate in your mind and your heart. Among all other things, I distinctly remember that feeling. It made me look forward to the next day on some occasions, but on most others, it left me in tears. I longed to wake up in the morning to my mom having a glass of coffee, my dad with his latest nursery rhyme composition that would take all of two minutes, and my brother who was ever ready to wrestle with me, all in readiness waiting for me. But instead, I was left with just me, dragging my own backside to the shower, to the mess, and then later on, to class as well. Yes, I had made new friends, but there was no way that was ever going to take the place of the people who I've loved to death since the days before I even knew the meaning of the words Mom, Dad or Brother.
    But gradually, in all of this, came what was both inevitable and necessary. The acceptance of the change. I had to come to terms with the fact that I had to do it all on my own, be it the washing, the working, or the socializing. And Operation Aerospace, at least according to me, was underway. I was functional at long last, even though I was still far from standard.
  As far as my parents and brother were concerned, they continued to be my best friends, but I began to feel like I could go back and tell that doctor that the umbilical cord was cut at last! Time would further confirm if I was right.