ExpertDabbler

India lost the matches with Australia and Pakistan, Wins against the West Indies.

It was a virtual quarter final against Sri Lanka. In one piece of imaginative captaincy and much to the chagrin of fellow team mates and supporters, Aditya opened the bowling with the leggie Ratan Shah. The Sri Lankans did not anticipate this move and could never respond appropriately.

Ratan varied his deliveries beautifully at a pace much slower than his usual, giving the ball much more air. It was impossible to sweep on that pitch and batsmen after batsmen tried exactly that.

Ratan scalped five vital wickets for very few runs. Sri Lanka made 214 on a 280 pitch. India romped home with 5 wickets in hand. Aditya batting for the first time with any degree of comfort made 45 of 60 balls.

He has of late cut down on cross batted strokes. His groin hurt whenever his legs swung while executing the pull stroke.

Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand were the top 3 teams. India was the last team to qualify for the semi-finals.

Semi-Final - 1
Australia took on Pakistan in the first semi-final at Durban.

Australia made 298 in their 50 overs. Pakistan in reply were 242 for 7 in 44 overs. And it all looked like lost cause for Pakistan when Mohammed Abu Thahir, an 18 year old Pathan really started to turn the heat on the Australians. In the end, Pakistan won with one wicket and 2 balls to spare and Thahir made a sensational 104 not out in about 72 balls.

Semi-final - 2
India took on New Zealand at Newlands.

Aditya won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch which looked full of runs.
The openers were off to the best start by India in the tournament. Pandey and Sushil were going at above run a ball at the 20th over. When Pandey was given a debatable caught decision when it clearly looked the ball had touched the ground but the fielder Nathan Blackwell claimed the catch. That started a slide.

Aditya was bowled first ball.

India were 196 for 6 in the 40th over.

As suspected the innings folded out in the 48th over giving New Zealand a target of 241 to win. An easy target under the circumstances.

But this time, Aditya opened the bowling with the offie, Vikram. Vikram struck twice in the very first over when Vinod Sinha, the firebrand fielder took two blinders in consecutive balls at point. The Kiwis never recovered after the shock. One day cricket was all about gaining momentum and sustaining it. The Kiwis were not allowed to have any momentum. Aditya was brilliant in field placements and changing the bowlers.

The Kiwis fell short by 45 runs.

India enters the final of the World Cup and has to meet the Pakistanis at Johannesburg.

The board had come up with a list of 25 names as probables for the World Cup. Aditya went through the probables list and tried to assess each and every person from the way the person had fared in the domestic tournaments and past performances in the ODIs.

He was always comfortable with Rajeev and the coach. They have been playing together for a long time. He decided all key decisions will be taken after consulting the Coach John Reid and Rajeev during the Cup.

Aditya tried to finalise on the 6 main bowlers he can rely on any time. He was one of the old-fashioned types who thought its bowlers who make the breakthroughs and win matches. Great teams are great not because they had champion batsmen but because they had champion bowlers. 92′ World cup finals was won by the two balls bowled by Wasim Akram which shattered not only the stumps of Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis but also the hopes of millions of English cricket fans.

The key bowlers Manjunath, Kelkar, Ismail, Gurudev, Ratan Shah and Vikram were short listed and their roles explained to them. Manjunath and Gurudev would open the attack. The responsibilities varied according to the needs of the situation. Either give a few extra runs but take wickets or vary the pace and try to frustrate the batsman with very little room. Ratan Shah was a leggie. Vikram bowled off spinners. The rest were medium pacers.

For fielding, Aditya was banking heavily on Vinod Sinha, easily the best fielder in the team. He would be the man in the point region. One consolation was no one was a butter finger. All were safe fielders and most of the guys were in their twenties.

As far as batting was concerned, The true performers were the rock solid Rajeev and Sushil Malhotra. Sushil opened the batting along with Pandey who was a wicket- keeper bat. Aditya was not in a position to count himself as a batsman par excellence now that he has not had match practice for some time.

While interacting with the team, none in the probables group had any ill-feeling towards him. It was a job to be done and they were happy that Aditya was willing to come forward and take charge. The fact that he had won so many matches single handedly in the past and was never a problem personality till that diary episode were factors. Anyways half of the Gaurav team was “rested” by the selectors.

Days and nights were spent watching tapes of all the teams performances in the recent past more specifically the group India played. India was in Pool B which had
Australia, Zimbabwe, England, Pakistan, Netherlands and Namibia. Any pool which has Australia, England and Pakistan should be the tougher pool. The top three teams from each pool will go to the Super sixes.

First Match with Namibia
India won by 56 runs. Aditya scored 5. Caught behind.

Second Match with Australia
India lost by 95 runs. And that when India required 196 to win suggested a lot about the famed Indian batting line up. Aditya made 8 of 24 balls. Bowled of an inside edge.

Third Match with Pakistan
A thrilling tie. Aditya made 13 and holed out in the deep when India required 35 from 42 balls with 4 wickets in hand. Reports from home suggested there was a minor riot in Mumbai with angry fans calling for ban on all the players who could not perform. Rajeev’s house in Bangalore was attacked. Chennai was relatively peace loving so Aditya’s parents escaped unhurt.

Both Rajeev and Aditya had to come out with a press statement appealing to fans to remain calm back home. They promised that they would do their very best in the remaining matches.

Three matches gone and a solitary win, that too against Namibia was hardly impressive for the crowd back home. Aditya was a shadow of his past. His feet was not moving. His timing was awry. Even those well timed strokes went straight to the fielder. It looked as if the world has moved forward and Aditya was struggling to come to terms with the reality.

The media lambasted him for being opportunistic and the Board for playing a dirty political game.

Fourth Match against England
India won by 14 runs mainly due to a dashing 100 by Rajeev.

The match against Netherlands was washed out without a ball being bowled. One crucial point lost.

Australia and Pakistan qualified for the super sixes as expected smoothly.

In the other group New Zealand, Sri Lanka made into the super six. There was a knock out tussle between West Indies and Zimbabwe. West Indies made it to the super six.

The Match between Netherlands and England too was washed out and by sheer luck India enter the super six by virtue of better Net Run Rate.

Nandhini
“Appo thothuta? Vera yaarayavadhu kalyanam pannipiya?”

Adi

Quite stunned by this response
” ”

Nandhini
“Inge paaru da. Enakku unnai pidikum. idhai un kitteye solliruken. Appo neraya prachnai. Appa health. Namma age um seri illai. 19 yrs la enakku enna venumnu enakku cleara therilai. Koncha naal enakku Shekar mela mariyadhai. Adhu lovea illa verum mariyadhai kalandha natpa nu enakku therila.”

“Ippo nama rendu perumey koncham matured. Indha 6 months kittathatta un koodavey irundhitten. Vera endha aal koodavum ennale ivlo comfortable a irukka mudiyadhu…
Nee mudhala World Cup olunga aadu. Jeyikraiyo thokariyo, adhu problem illai.
Naanum enga amma kitte pesaren. Appuram cricket ellam moottai kaati vechuttu enga veetile vandhu amma kitte pesu..”

“Seri… idhuku mela naan inge irundha nee cricket ada maatey. Naanum neeyum appa amma velayatu dhaan aduvom. So naan kelambaren. Amma kitte oru velai kedachirukku nu sollitu vandhen. Appo appo phone pesinadhoda seri. Nan naalaike kelambaren. Seriya?”

Aditya
“Ennadi idhu vamba pochu. Nee paatukku kelambare nu solrey? Indha topic ai arambichirukka vendaam nu ippo thonudhu”

Nandhini
“Naan engey poren? 10 hr journey dhaaney?”

She comes close to him. They embrace each other…

Adi
“Naan enga amma kitte onnum perisa solla vendaam. Ippave arasal purasala theriyum nu nenaikiren.”

Nandhini
“Naan yerkanavey oru statement vittu vechen…long back”

Adi
“Ennadhu?”

Nandhini
“Aditya velila unnai kootitu pona nee unnai epdi arimugapaduthippey nu keetaanga amma”

Adi
“Hmm?”

Nandhini
“Naan Adiyai kalyaanam pannika pora ponnu nu solven nu sonen”

Adi
“Adi paavi. Oorrukey therinchirukku. Ennai thavira…”
He kissed her.

Kolkatta
At 5:45 in the morning, Adi checked in to the Sonar Bangla Sheraton Hotel. Fifteen minutes later, a black Mercedes enters the hotel premises. Inside the Mercedes was Mr. Malviya.

Adi was back in Chennai for lunch at home. Later in the day, a team of selectors ‘deliberated’ on the team and the captain for the upcoming Cricket World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Nandhini
“Hey ennada achu pona velai?”

Adi
“Evening news varum paaru”

At 6:30 in the evening, the television footage showed the Chairman of Selectors holding a brief press meet to announce the team for ‘Mission World Cup’ as they chose to call it. Aditya Srinivasan was named Captain. The existing vice-captain Rajeev Pandit of Karnataka was retained Vice-captain. The consent of all the senior players for nominating Aditya as captain had been obtained much earlier.

There was N number of questions from the press.

Press
“Why this ‘Volte Face’ by the board? After all is not Adi the one who questioned the very integrity of the board?”

Chairman of Selectors and the new Board President Mr. Jeetendra
“Investigations are going on into the alleged irregularities. A committee has been formed to look into all the allegations. The BCCI president has resigned. A new administrative team has taken charge. The fact that Aditya has agreed to this appointment gives credence to this new setup at BCCI. The selectors all have reposed complete faith in Aditya’s leadership skills and batting ability.”.

Press
“Why was Mukherjee dropped from the team? Was this done to satisfy Aditya?”

Chariman of Selectors
“Mukherjee is going through a rough patch and we thought it would be in his best interests if he is ‘rested’ for a while as this would give him an opportunity to work on his game without the pressure of captaincy.”

Press
“How confident is the Board about Aditya’s leadership abilities? He has not even captained his state team?”

Chairman of Selectors
“We have full faith in Aditya’s cricketing brain. We are confident about winning this World Cup..”

Nandhini switched of the television:

Nandhini
“M#$%^&.. Ennada idhu? Nee bat thookiye 6 masam achu. Enna madathanam idhu?
Nee edhukku othukitte? Unnai kooptu yaaravadhu captain padhavi kudutha nee yaaru mela oozhal nu sonniyo avanga kitteye sirichitu poviya?”

Adi
” ”

Nandhini
“Captain post na enna pressure? Idhenna minister padhaviya?
World cup la poi thothuttu vandha un veetai fans ellam naasam panniduvaanga.
Nee edhukku adhai ethukanum? Unakku edhukku indha thevai illadha velai?”

Adi
” ”

Nandhini
“Team selection laam yaaru panradhu?”

Adi
“Avanga dhaan”

Nandhini
“Appo team selection un control illai?”

Adi
“Illai”

Nandhini
“Unnai madhiri oru kenayanai en life la na parthadhu illa”

Adi
” ”

Nandhini
“Mitha team ellam pona worldcup la irundhu prepare pannraanga …. Ingey Bihar politics thothudum ..nee panninadhu enakku koncham kooda pidikalai Adi..”

Adi
” ”

Nandini
“Enna naan paatukku pesitte irukken. Ne paatukku ummnu irundha enna artham?”

Adi
“Nee solradhu ellam correct dhaan.”

Nandhini
“Theriyudhila? Appo nee edhukku othukitta?”

Adi
“Idhu dhaan naan adara last tournamenta irukkum Nandhini.”

Nandhini
“What?”

Adi
“Aama.. idhukku appuram ennai ada viduvangalaanu therilai. Avangalukku ippo neraya pressure. Avanga aim naan game la jeyikradhu illai. Enakku oru chance kuduthachu na naan appuram “Ellam mosam naan mattum sutham yogiyam ” nu solla mudiyadhu. Ippo indha cancer ai katiye apdiye oram kattiduvaanga”

Nandhini
“Appo edhukku indha world cup mattum? Ipave retire agu. Clean image oda pogum”

Adi
“Enakku oru chance venum. Kurai sollitu velila vandhen. En porupiley vitta ennaley enna panna mudiyumnu kaatanum”

Nandhini
“Oru mannagatiyum panna mudiyadhu…
Dei, this is most unfair. Seri epdi unakku captaincy kuduthanga? Mithavanga onnum object pannalaya? Rajeev?”

Adi
“Rajeev ku captaincy vendaamam. Captaincy irundha avan batting la concentrate panna mudiyadhaam. Mithavanga onnum object pannalai. Mothathiley yaarukum oru periya nambikkai ellam ille Nandhini. Yedho oru team anuparaanga World Cup ku avlo dhaan…”

Nandhini
“Buthi saali avan. unnai madhiriya? Ennamo un thalai eluthu. Nee paatuku oru nyaayasthan madhiri adaamaley irundhirkalam indha pozhappu ku… Kadaisi varaikum Hero madhiri irundhirkalaam”

Adi
“Malavya vukku en weakness nallavey theriyum. He made an offer I can’t refuse.
Naanum refuse pannalai.

In short they wanted a scapegoat in case of failure. Enakkum oru chance venum en capability prove panna…

Seri adhellam vidu.. Suppose naan indha world cup jeyichitena enakku enna pannuve? Ennai kalyanam pannipiya?”

Adi was driving his car. The doctor’s words reverberated in the background.

“Aditya, nothing to be alarmed at. CT scan pannina metastatic conditiona illaya nu therinchudum.Metastatis na bodi la mitha edathukku lam spread ayirukunnu artham..
I hope not. But edhukum parthudalaam..”

Adi is driving

“Thank God. Spread agalai. Localized a dhaan irukku. Its just a matter of operation. Unga body la oru portion kettu pochu nu nenaichukonga. Testicular cancer is curable in 95 % of the cases. Remove panna poradhu oru testticle daan. so reproductive ability will remain normal…Veetile sollitu oru datela operate pannidalaam. Evlo seekiram panromo avlo nalladhu….”

He parked his car in the beach road. He wanted some time to be left alone. To think. To see when life will smile her last on him.

‘Innum evlo naal irukka poren?’

Cricket took a backseat in his mind.

“En enakku mattum ipdi vandhadhu? Yaarukku enna thappu senjen?”

The more he thought about it, the more depressed he was. He needed someone to hold him, to embrace him. But he also wanted to be alone. He was not comfortable going to his parents. Amma will be shell shocked. Appa…, someone needs to take care of him and it would not be vice-versa. He needed someone who would understand this situation. And he cannot fall back on anybody he knew. Except one person.

He called Suresh.

Adi
“Dei, Nandhini number yaar kitte irukku?”

Suresh
“Dei, ennada nee, thideernu mid-series la gundai thooki pottutu India vandhutte?”

Adi
“Adhellam apporam pesalam. Ippo Nandhini yai avasarama contact pannanum. Un kitte number irukka?”

Suresh
“Hmm… Unakku friend anadhiley indha messenger velai dhaan da micham….
Indha eludhikko”.

Adi
“Seri polambadhey.. naan appuram un kitte idhu pathi pesaren… number sollu.. hmm.. hmm. ok..seri naan aprom pesaren”

He called her number.
Nandhini picked up the phone

Adi
“Hey naan Aditya pesaren.”

Nandhini
“Ada paavi. Nee enna da nenaichuttu irukkey? Cricket ellam oozhal nu coola sollitu India vandhuttey?”

Adi
“Andha sandai ellam appuram podalaam… Unga appa epdi irukkaar?”

Nandhini
“Appa va? avar poi 2 varusham achey. Unakku sollalaya?

Adi
“ “

Nandhini
“Seri, nee adhukku koopidalai nu enakku theriyum, enna vishayam sollu?”

Adi
“Hmm. un kitte koncham pesanum. Koncham serious issue. Thirumba love pathi arambikaren nu nenaikadhey. Enakku ippo un help thevai”.

Nandhini
“Adhuvum illaya? Ennachu da?”

He told her the diagnosis.

Nandhini
She was silent for a few seconds.
“Nee onnum bayapadadhey. I’ve seen it all. Naan kelambi Madras varen”

BG Music

Nandhini is with Adi in the hospital. She is pacifying Adi’s parents and takes care of them. Adi is through with the orchiectomy – surgical removal of the testicle.
The Press carrying reports about Adi’s disease. Columns being devoted to discuss his health. One column was titled “Innings closed for Aditya”

In the hospital room after the operation

Nandhini
“Oru rendu masathukku weight edhuvum thooka koodadhaam. China china thondaravu ellam irukkum. Bayapadaadhey”
“Adi, cancer is first won in the mind. Body appuram dhaan. Nee life laye face pannina periya, deadliest fast bowler cancer nu nenaichukko. Neraya meditate pannu. Cancerous cells un udambai vittu pogara madhri visualise pannu. Paithiyam madhiri pesarene nu ninaikadhey. Appa ponadhukku appuram neraya books padichen. Andha basis la dhaan solren. This works along with the medicine. You have to believe that you can win this fight.“

BG Music

Shots of Adi is taking rest..Adi taking trips…Adi walking…Adi reading about Simon O’donnell, the aussie who had a successful battle against cancer and who returned to competitive cricket…Adi trying to run… Adi reading Anup Kumar’s “The joy of Cancer” a book for cancer survivors…. Adi trying to carry weight gradually..Adi reading about Lance Armstrong….And finally Adi in full shape running 6 months after the surgery.

Union Cabinet Meeting at the PM’s residence.

“Enough is enough” the Prime Minister thundered.
“We need to fix this issue before the opposition parties take it to stall the parliament. I want the top brass in BCCI to be changed hands. I want a CBI enquiry into all the deals entered into on behalf of BCCI in the last 2/3 years.”

At the BCCI headquarters, an emergency meeting was conveyed.

BBCI president, Malviya was addressing,

“Friends, We had to face a crises in the last 6 months and we did remarkably well. But something still needs to be done. Our credibility has taken a beating. The scandal and subsequent failure by the team in the next two series has had an impact in the TV viewership. As you all know, the absence of Aditya has had a severe impact in our team’s performance. The captain Gauvrav was not able to deliver. To manage all this, I have a solution”

He waited for a response

“We need to send out a strong statement to the outside world that things are back in order. For this to happen, Aditya has to play again for India. And if my quitting will help BCCI salvage some pride, I am more than willing to do that.”

Immediately , there was roars of disapproval

He raised his hands to stop.

“Look. Nothing is going to change in effect. If I am quitting, one of my men will take charge. Bringing back Aditya is not surrender. On the other hand, it’s a clever tactic. He has been through a life threatening disease, a rare surgery.He may not be in the best of shape if at all he plays. But leaving him outside will make him a martyr. I want him to take part in Indian cricket not because my love for him.
But I want him in the loop. An accomplice. The world Cup is just 6 months away. If he succeeds, the BCCI can take some credit for bringing him back. If he fails, then he will be the one who takes the major blame.
But that will ensure the masses will tune into the TV for cricket matches as before. We will talk to him, we will negotiate. It will help with the government too. The Government will go easy on us. The viewership will go up. That means the advertisement revenues will also go up. I want the show to go on. I will do anything for that…”

One morning, as Aditya was in his gym, he gets a call in his mobile.

It was Nandhini,
“Adi, BCCI la irundhu call. Veetu numberku koopitaanga. Un kitte pesanumaam.Udaney Kolkatta vara mudiyumanu kekkaraanga“

Adi took the flight back home the very next day.
There was a hue and cry in all the sports sections of major newspapers. Precious newspaper real estate was spent on this crises that has engulfed the Indian cricket..
Fans in yahoo groups were analysing the whole issue threadbare.

The BCCI promptly gave a terse press release removing Aditya from the team for the rest of the series.
What really surprised Aditya was the cliched quote by the spokesperson, Yashpal
”The Game is greater than the greatest of Individuals”.

Aditya knew that in a country like India, without star individuals there is no sport. No sport means no viewership which translates to no sponsorhip, no moolah and essentially no board. Aditya knew he was the best player in the team by a distance. And it was not a senseless decision as some newspaper columnists thought. It was a calculated risk. This would work especially in a team like India because of its heavy dependence on individual brilliance. He was determined to take this fight to the end. He is going to bank on his clean image and his astronomical cricketing abilities to the hilt.

All he need to do is wait for six months. A couple of humiliating series defeats and then the debate will start if Aditya should be reinstated. The corporates need stars as much as stars need corporate’s money. More the money, happier the board.
Nobody will wake up at 4 in the morning to have a glimpse of the balding Yashpal play at the MCG.
It was all interdependent. Throwing him out was at best reactionary and expected and the BCCI was stupid enough to do just that.

Aditya even expected a furore in the parliament. The Sports Ministry is keen to take cricket from the clutches of BCCI to within its fold.

‘Bloody politics’ he thought.

The Meenambakkam airport welcomed him with a swarm of reporters who were determined to get a word from him.
He just kept walking.

Press
“Adi, you have raised serious allegations, do you have sufficient proof to back your charges?”
“Adi, do you think you have played your last Test match for India?”

Adi
“I have nothing to say at this moment, please excuse me”

His first priority was some time for himself, to ponder over certain things, to go for a heath check-up and more time with the parents and if possible friends.

Home was heavenly. Amma samayal is the best in the universe.
Parents were definitely worried but they did not disturb him.

Adi
“Amma…”

Gayathri
“Ennada?”

Adi
“Ivlo nadandhirukku….Onnume kekkalai nee?”

Gayathri
“Hmm. Unakku seri nu manasile padaradhai sei. Seri pasikaradha? Sadham podatuma? Illa appa vandhadum saapidariya?”

Like that….Nothing asked and all that needs to be convey was conveyed.

Outside home was not exactly pleasant. Major corporates who had entered into endorsement contracts with him for 5 years wanted to get out of the deal. Reports were out that they were already looking for another brand ambassador.
‘Not unexpected’ was his reply when Subbu informed him…

He finished his dinner and called his family doctor.

His mother was watching.
‘Enna achu ivanukku. Nalla dhaaney irukkan?’ she thought…

Aditya
“Doctor, Aditya pesaren…..epdi irukeenga?….. Sowmya( doc’s little daughter) epdi irukka?….Apdiya oh cool…Pudhu clinic a eppo?….. Engey?…… Congrats!!!Kalakkunga..!!
Doctor ungalai meet pannanum. Nalaiku appointment irukuma?…… Laughs….. ok then doctor nalaiku morning oru 10 O clock varen…..”

Clinic
The doctor asked Adi to strip and examined his testicles and looked slightly concerned.

Doctor
“Adi, left testicle la oru chinna lump irukku.”
Slightly presses it..

Adi
“Ss Ahh amma… valikudhu doctor”

Doctor
“Idhu evlo naala irukku?”

Adi
“Ipo adi pattadhile irundhu dhaan nu nenaikiren doctor”

Doctor
“To be on the safer side oru ultrasound scan pannidalaam….appuram sila blood test um eludhi tharen. Parthuttu adhukka appurama proceed pannanum.”

“Adi, oru request….”

Adi
“Sollunga doctor”

Doctor
“Casual la eduthukka vendaam. We need to rule out certain things…”

Adi looked at the blood test requirement. Something like AFP and HCG and LDH was mentioned among others.
‘Enna ezhavo?’, he thought

He went to the lab for the scan and blood test.
He collected the results in the next day and met the doc.

Doctor
The doctor saw the results and was definitely disturbed.
Adi, oru CT scan pannanum. Further a sila tests pannanum….
ippo admit aga mudyuma? immediate a!

Adi
“Enna doctor oru adi vanginenn avlo dhaan. Adhukku edhukku…..?”

Doctor
“Adi.. am afraid I have some news for you. Onnum problem illai. But we need to act immediately.. Oru surgery panna vendirukkum immediatea….”

Nee andha idathile adi vanginadhu dhaan orey nalla vishayam. Call it God’s grace.
illena nee ennai parka vandhirukka maate.Illena idhu indha stagela diagnose pannirukave mudiyadhu..”

Adi
“Apdi enna doctor?”

Doctor
“Hmm…
You have a cancerous growth in your left testicles. Very rare among Asians. But unakku epdi ….”

Adi did not hear anything after the dreaded word…

Adi was convinced that something was terribly wrong when during drinks break, the 12th man was busy talking with the non-striker, a No 9 batsman or rather a bowler who has padded up and avoided him. But he still carried on his job but this cold treatement played in his mind.

The next over a short of length ball from Brett Lee got a thick edge and rammed into one of the most sensitive part in a man’s body – his genitals. Inspite of the ‘box’ protection Adi was in excruciating pain. He squatted on the pitch. It took a minute for him to gain composure and still the pain was evident. It was not as if he had not got hurt in that area before but this time the pain was unbelievable. This pain was strange.

‘Udambu kooda ennamo prachnai pannudhu pola irukkey’ he thought.

To his utter dismay nobody from the dressing room was willing to come to the ground and offer water or any other assistance. He could see the team Coach, a foreigner insisting the 12th man to actually go to the ground and help him.

He continued to carry on and play but then the pain would not go down at all even after a full 15 minutes.

The team was relatively well placed at 420 for 7. It was first innings and he thought it would be in his interest and the teams interest to take some rest and then return if required. Also he wanted to know what exactly has gone wrong in the dressing room. So he chose to return to the dressing room retired hurt. He got a standing ovation from the MCG crowd.

As he entered the dressing room, nobody came forward with a ‘Are u all right’ even for the sake of courtesy.

‘Apdi enna dhan nadandhadhu?’ he was wondering.

The captain was glaring at him and came to him with a printout.

Gaurav Mukherjee
“Whats this? Did u write such stuff?”

Aditya
“Gaurav, Whats that?”

Gaurav
Gaurav threw the print out from the website at him
“Some people think they are Gods and are above and beyond the team,the board and their captain. Shit. It’s a shame that I have to put up with such fucked up bastards like this”

Aditya
Adi ignored his comments and started to read and was aghast that someone had used excerpts from his own diary

“Gaurav, I don’t know whats happening. I really don’t know who published this.”

Gaurav
“I don’t give a damn about all that ok? I will take this to my grave. We have a press conference this evening and you are to deny this completely. U understand if at all u want to play cricket for India you $%^&*# $%^&*# ”

That enraged Adi..He has had enough of this abuse he thought. He retorted with the same words the captain used against him.
The captain slapped him, Aditya returned the slap. It was getting ugly before Romesh Korvar, the 12th man separated the two.

Adi returned to his private room in the hotel immeditely. He did not play for the rest of the day. The pain and the fight with the captain and the embarrassment of having one’s personal diary ruthlessly exposed by the media was all too much for him.

And now that the diary has caught the public’s eye, there was nothing for him to lose. In a way, this diary episode is a blessing in disguise. He was reluctuant to point fingers at some of the players because of the delicate situations that might arise.

Now he has a choice. Either deny the whole episode as a figment of some idiot’s imagination or use this opportunity to speak his mind. He also knew that the consequences of rebelling against the team and the board could include ruining his career and his life.

Press Conference after the day’s play

Gaurav reading out a press release
“Gentlemen,
It is with pain, anger and frustration that we, the members of the Indian cricket team categorically and absolutely deny the statements that have come in some sections of the media attributed to our Star Player Aditya Srinivasan. Adi is here with me and he has clearly refuted the content published and attributed to him. He is with the team, the board and the captain.”

The microphone was given to Adi

Pressman 1
“Hi Aditya, its been understood that you have given this diary of yours for publication”

Aditya
“Absolutely ridiculous. I have no business relationship with any newspaper. Let alone a newspaper like Times of India”

Pressman 2
“Aditya, forget the ethics of The Times of India. Do you believe in the statements that has been attributed to you in the diary? Particularly the damaging statements against your captain and some other players? Do you think the Board and the captain are not taking decisions with the best interests of Indian cricket in mind?”

Aditya
Aditya waited for a moment longer than was necessary..
“Yes I do.”

And with that ‘Yes’, he knew he has played his last Test match for quite some time.

Aditya was deeply hurt by Nandhini’s actions. She could have stayed away or should have had the guts to profess her love publicly. She was just deceiving herself. The more he thought about it the more frustrated he was.

‘Yen namakku mattum life ipdi irukku?’

The worst thing was everybody barring his parents looked at him with awe, wonder and respect. And this made them stand at a distance from the real Aditya. And he was not comfortable to tell about Nandhini to his parents yet.

‘Adi, indha Love Buv elllam podhum. Ippa nammaku cricket dhaan mukiyam. Cricket dhaan nammaku kadavul. Innum perform pannanum, periya aala aganum’ he told to himself…

This was the only way to preserve his sanity from the endless loneliness, travel, public pressure and boredom. He was playing cricket not for anybody but for himself. Cricket was the way to attain Nirvana.

His cricket was reaching new heights in the next three years.

TV Footage
Aditya going to stage to collect the ‘Castrol Cricketer of the Year Award’
And giving a speech about hardwork, integrity, commitment, talent etc etc

Fade

“India has the potential to be world beaters- Aditya” screamed an India Today Cover with the words super-imposed on a smiling Aditya close-up.

Fade

“Meet the young wise lion in its den” wrote on senior sports writer when he was named Wisden cricket of the Year. The story and exclusive interview was for Outlook.

Fade

“Aditya is on a rampage….Aditya’s ODI record is even better. He is nearing his 100th ODI and he has already scored 5047 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 92.13….” this time a story by Harsha Bhogle for ESPN.

For all his towering achievements his team was just about average. Some of the matches which India had in its pocket right through were lost in the last 5 overs.
Most of his teammates were a cut below him in their cricketing abilities and commitment.

He was specifically asked about the clear difference in class between him and his teammates during all the interviews.

“Hey its not fair to comment like that about our guys. They try hard. Sometimes you click and sometimes you fail at the most critical moment. Cricket is a game that can turn upside down in a matter of couple of overs.” was all he would say.

But deep inside he knew the accusations had a ring of truth. What disturbed him was that some clearly lacked commitment. He was the lone Tamil Nadu player. He was not sure whom to confide with what and so he kept a sweet diplomatic face to all of his team mates.

All these made him a loner.
His parents were good but he could not talk about his love nor about his cricketing frustrations yet.

He felt like calling Suresh….

Adi
Dei enna da epdi irukkei?

Suresh
Dei, engey irundhu pesare nee?

Adi
Melbourne. Summa bore adichudhu. Namma makkal kitte pesamnunu thonichu. Appuram epdi irukku Madras?

Suresh
Ingey ellam as usual. Ennada matter? Nandini nyabagama?

Adi
Adu appo appo varum. Eppavavadhu mail adippen. Oru masam kalichu diplomatica reply pannuva. Adhai yen nyabagapaduthare?

Suresh
Ennada indha series jeyika mudiyuma?

Adi
Adu en kayile illa machaan.

Suresh
Rombo diplomatic ayitte nee.

Adi
Hmm nerya sollanum da. India world laye best teama vardhu ellam rombo kashtam
Indha system la neraya loopholes irukku. Naan oru exception…

Suresh
Glorious exception

Adi
Seri vechikko. But inge neraya politics. Neraya paisa. In fact ellame paisa. Enakku neraya pesanum. Ana yaarai nambi enna solradhunnu therila. Pesama diary eludhalaamnu rukken. Koncham kottita nimmadhi kidaikum nu thonudhu…

Suresh
Eludhu eludhu. Team youngsters kooda nalla rapport vechukko. Pinnadi udhavum. Seri dei nan veliya koncham velaya irukken. Nama appurama pesalam ok va?.

Adi
Miss you all da. Bbye

He wrote everyday. His observations, frustrations, his anger towards Nandhini, then pains when he missed her, his friends, all went into the diary.. Some of his diary excerpts which he had written in tamil. The language he is most comfortable with…

“Gaurav Mukherjee, enga arumai captain. ivana enna solradhuney therila. Bouncer ada theriyadhu. Enna problem na idhu ulagathukkey theriyum aana idhu varaikum improve panna oru step edukalai…”

“Pesama ellarayum madhiri sumara padichu, oru ponnai parthu kalynam pannitu settle ayirkalam.

….Innaiku Australia, adutha Masam New Zealand appuram thiruppi England.. hmm enna pozhappu da idhu?”

“Rajiv, a flamboyant, reckless chap. Koncham kooda poruppu illa. Talented player. but arivu suthama kedyadhu. Innum 30 run venum 40 ball irukunna evanavadhu down the wicket vandhu 6 try pannuvana? Ithanaikum andha match la ivan dhaan last recognized batsman. Adhuvum finals. Kastappattu adicha 100 waste. Andha cup pochu ivanale.
6 maasathukku oru dhadavai oru 50/100 adipaan. Captain backing irukku. Ennavo sponsorship kanraavi…”

“Test matches… Batsman enna dhaan adinaalum tests jeyikaradhu ellam bowlers kayile dhaan irukku. Namma bowlers Australia la naay adi pei adi vangaraanga. Aussie new comer kooda madhika maatengraan. No quality fast bowlers. Yen? Nalla pitches illai.. Namma board is full of cash but also full of scoundrels… Ellamey paisa. Cricket team sponsorship la irundhu telecast rights varaikum total corruption”

“1980’s la Australia oru sothai team. Ana ippo? Epdi avanga mattum improve pannirukanga? Even their B team is capable of beating any test team in the world.
How come they alone are able to make excellence a matter of habit and routine?”

“Going by the way some matches are lost. Betting laam naama nenaiachadhai vida neraya nadakudho nu nenaika thonudhu….”

His diary went on and on. Sometimes really explosive. Sometimes useless ranting.

One day while on tour in Australia, a petty thief entered his hotel room. Unusually, the theif happened to be a Sri Lankan Tamil. He read the diary and whistled. He slipped out, took a copy and placed the original back in Adi’s hotel room after sometime. He knew that would in all probability will be his last petty theft. He knew he was sitting on a goldmine. He did not touch any other item in the hotel room.

A few days later, He gets a call from a stranger

Stranger
Adi, I have some explosive information which has the potential to ruin your career…

Adi
Hey?What? Who are you?

Stranger
I’m serious. You could well be playing your last international tomorrow if you do not pay heed to my words…

Adi
Shut the fuck up and get lost. Do whatever you can..

He switched off his mobile.
After 90 overs of gruelling Test cricket Down Under, the last thing one wants is a blackmail call from a crazy guy who thinks he is playing a practical joke.

There was nothing he had which was remotely scandulous. Or so he thought…

The next day morning IST.

The Times of India had a headline like “Aditya blames Indian Cricket Board, his captain and a few other players in an explosive diary write-up”

That afternoon (since it was afternoon in Australia when it was morning in India),
Aditya got the shock of his life when none of his teammates acknowledged his hundred at the MCG when he raised his bat. The only people cheering were some innocent migrant Indians settled in Australia, the sportive Aussie cricketers and some sections of the Aussie public.

The Indian dressing room was all but dead. The captain was staring at him.
Something was not right.

Personal Update:

Folks, y’day I got an offer to join a cool company (cool bcos it gave me an offer:D) as Sr.Software Engineer here. Should be moving there soon. As there are people from my present organization who read this blog, let me stop this here

————————

At the hotel…

Adi
“You look gorgeous di… chancey illa”

Nandhini
“Ah podhum Ice”.

She showed mock anger and made clear she enjoyed the compliment.

Adi
“Enna saapdare?”

Nandhini(in accented tone)
“Well, I’ll have Ice Briyani with green chilli and peeled uncut onion salad and…”

Adi
“Ice briyani a?”

Nandhini
“Waiter, dont tell me you don’t have Ice briyani.”

Waiter
“Sorry ma’am. We dont have Ice Briyani in our Menu.”

Nandhini
“Ridiculous! and you say this is a star hotel…ok.. maybe I’ll take Veg Fried Rice. Hope you have that?”

Adi
“Seri enakku oru Fried Rice with Gobi masala”

After the waiter had left

Adi
“Adhu enna Ice briyani and Green chilli Onion Salad combo?”

Nandhini
“Namma pazhaya soru & pachai milagaai vengaayam da…”

Both of the laughed out loud..

After a few minutes

Adi
“Hmm.appuram life ellam epdi pogudhu. enna padikarey ippo?”

Nandhini
“BSc maths panren.Corres la”

Adi
“Yen Corres? college poga vendiyadhu dhaaney? Btw Nee engey irukkey ippo? mudhala adhai sollu…”

Nandhini
“Madurai ku pakkathiley, Thirumangalam nu oru ooru…
Adi ennai pathi nee adhigam kekakoodadhu..”

Adi
“Yen? Yen kekakoodadhu”

Nandhini
“Time varum bodhu naaney solren”

Adi
“Enna poodagama pesare? Ammam Nee epdi en number ai kandupidichey?”

Nandhini
“Auto driver ku dhaan thanks sollanum.Avar dhaan vandhu unnai partha autograph vanginadhai sonaar. apdiye sathya,appuram suresh pidichu,un number ai vangitten.

En kadhai ellam…. sonna onnum vera maari nadaka poradhillai.”

Adi
“Adhu illai. nee solla virumbalai enkitte.. Hmm.. ok Appuram vera nalla friends irukaagala pakkathiley?”

Nandhini
“Hmm oruthar pathi sollanum. Peru Shekar. Rombo nalla type. Ippo avar mattumm dhaan close. Avar illena rombo kastapatruppen”

Adi
” ”

Doesn’t talk for a few min..

Nandhini
“Nee engey varenu theriyum. Ippodaiku friend mattum dhaan…”

Adi
“Appo naan?”

Nandhini
“Pazhaya kaadhalan”

Adi
“then how abt now?”

Nandhini
“ippo nalla friend. Genius cricketer…”

Adi
” ”

Nandhini
“Typical lover ke uriya possessiveness and jealousy..”

Adi
“Enge adhaan illenu sollitye?seri parava illai… nee nalla iru.. Yaaru Haah Andha Shekar or whatever…. Appo yen ennai call panniney? Idhu sollava?”

Adi’s voice rises and for the first time he sobs….

Nandhini
“Dei, ippo enna achunu nee ipdi azharey.. kuzhandai madhiri? Achacho dei… ingey paaru…enakku neraya problems irukku.. nee vera thondharavu pannadei”

Adi
“Ah ulagahtiley unakku mattum dhaan problems. naanga lam sugama irukkom. apdi dhanaey? en position la oru naal irundhu paaru theriyum. ”

“In all probability “cricket veerar Adi oru nakshtathira hotelil kadhali madiyil azhudhaar” nu kottai ezhuthioey poduvaan.. ”

“Yaarum friends kedayadhu. pidikudhu pidikalayo, paper neetina autograph podanum… naan bathroom la irundhalum…”

“Nama nenakaradhai solla mudiyadhu…idhu pathadhunnu ekkachakka panam…
adhanale problems.. illa illa idhellam poi. unakku dhaan problems… naanga laam vetti.. un problems ai un friend parthupaar. nee avaraaye kalyanam panniko…if possible enakku invitation anuppu…”

“You know what… naan unnai parthirukave koodadhu… unga apavai pathi ketkanum… un career pathi ketkanum nu evlo aasaya vandhen.. naan verum friend nu sollitiye…
seri.. nee nalla iru… naan kelambaren…”

Nandhini
“Adi, Will you shut up and listen to me?”

Adi
” ”

Nandhini
“Ippo yen kudhikarey? You are making a scene here”

Adi
“Nee idhhukku en mudhugiley kuthirukalaam”

Nandhini
“Dei ingey paru, Nee nallavan. aniyayathukku nallavan. ana ippo unnai kalyanam panna mudiyadhu. ippodaiku nee yen friend dhaan. Unnoda girl friend nu oor muzhukka solla mudiyadhu”

Adi
“Yen mudiyadhu”

Nandhini
“Yennaku nerya constrants irukku. unakku sonna puriyadhu”

Adi
“Seri enakku puriyadhu. unakku dhaan ellam puriyum. vidu. naan imnime idhai pathi pesalai. Naan solren paaru. naan inime unnai idhu pathi keka maaten. thats it.
Nee ennai anna madhiri paaru, friend madhiri paru, thambi madhiri paru. epdi vena.. yen appa madhiri kooda paru. neeya solra varaikum naan inime indha topic edukalai..”

Nandhini
“Dei inge paru. enakku koncham time venum”

Adi
“ipdi dhaan 3 yrs munnadi sonney. appuram aalaye kanum…”

Nandhini
“Ippo innaiku unnai ignore pannitu poga evlo neram ayirukkum enakku?”

Adi
” ”

Nandhini
“Nee nenaichiya innaiku enna parpennu? Naanum nenaikalai. Life la naama plan pannalaam. Adhu namma kadamai. Aana nama plan pannradhu madhiri lam eppavume nadakadhu. Plan pannadhadhu lam nadakaum. idhu dhaan reality. idhaan life…”

Adi
” ”

Nandhini
“Appa ku colon cancer…. final stages. ..doctors veetuku kondu poga sollitanga. motham 35 kilo irukaar…naanum amma vum appo appo poi etti parpom room la.. Moochu irukaa poiruchaanu..idhu varaikum 8 lakhs selavu.. veedellam vithachu…udhavikku oru sondham illai.”

“Shekar enakku help panninaar… panam kooda kuduthaar… en kitte irundhu ehdayum edhir parkalai. udane “en kitte ketta naan panam kudupaney” nu solluve adhaney?”

“Angey andha edathiley yaaru kooda ninna? kaasu perisu dhaan. ana samaythukku help adhai vida perisu..innnaku varaikum enkitte edhuvum kekalai. kalyanam utpada.. naan dhinam unnai nenaikiren…ennale ippo adhaan mudiyum…

Food arrives

Both of them are not in a mood to eat. But they still eat for the sake of the other person. Both are in a hurry to move away from that place.

They finish the food and move out of the entrance…

Nandhini
“Dei ingey paaru. kovichukaadhey.. 3 varusham nama parkalai. innaiku parthom. enna kurainchu poittom sollu? Nee innaku elvo periya aal?. Naan evlo parthutten life la?

“Naan oru naal varuven un kitte. naan venumna nee wait pananum. evlo naal? adhukuley unakku kalyanam aguma? enakku kalyanam aguma nu ellam ketta enakku theriyadhu?… Nee vera aal partha dharalama kalyana panniko.”

“Enakku inaiku ‘aiyyo ivan illena en life illai’nu yaari parthum solla mudiyadhu. Including you, includng shekar”

“Naanum neeyum seranumna seruvom. plan lam panna mudiyadhu.. deadline laam veikadhey..”

“Unakku ennai vitta aaal illainu ooru nilai vandha seruvom.. or enakku unnai vitta ver aal illai nu vandha seruvom.. adhu varaikum nee enakku friend dhaan…”

By the time they come to the hotel entrance.

Nandhini
“Naan ipdiye nadandhu poikaren…”

And she walks away.

The SMS alert jolted Adi. ‘Wow kalakkare da Adi.’ He whistled.

‘Seri Parkalanga’ he told the Auto driver and rolled up the glass without even taking the eyes of the SMS alert.

The Auto driver walked away, started his Auto and mingled with the stream of ongoing vehicles which had just escaped the clutches of the signal…

He immediately dialled Subbu.

Adi
“Subbu eppo vandhudhu phone?”

Subbu
“15 minutes munnadi. naan udane unga direct number kudukalama nu yosichen. appuram yedhukkum vendaamnu..”

Adi
“Seri naan thiruppi pesaren Boycott kitte. Neenga Yorkshire county contact panni contract draft ellam kelunga. Enakku panam rendaam paksham dhaan. But English conditions exposure mukiyam. Appuram namma Indian team duties ellam vandha India dhaan mukiyam. idhellam avangalukke theriyum but still sollidunga. Ok ya. Naan appuram pesaren…”

He disconnected the call and closed his eyes for a moment thanking the Gods for this..

Suddenly a thought crossed him. What if the Auto driver he spoke to was Nandhini’s Auto man? Now this is silly. But what if it was true? Shit. He was angry with himself for not looking who was inside the Auto. Surely the person inside could’ve seen him. Or maybe not. There was no reason for Nandhini to avoid him… Maybe it was Nandhini and she did not notice him after all.

What he drove in the next 30 seconds from Nandanam to Centurion near IOC was the fastest in his life. He violated all possible lane rules and took a U turn where he should not and stopped the car bang in front of the complex. To his dismay, no Auto was to be seen let alone the one hired by Nandhini.

The auto could not have possibly come by this time.

He felt angry with himself. Maybe he is thinking too much about a first love which was long dead. Maybe Suresh was right. Probably Nandhini was going steady with someone. She may not even be comfortable meeting him. Why am I acting insane? What if I had knocked off someone in this short mad drive?

He felt ashamed of himself for that 30 second madness..

‘Adi, Past is past. Ippo dhaane 19 vayasu unakku. Maybe Nandhini kedaikalam illena vera yaaro. Nee yen ipdi paithiyam madhiri alayare? England tour irukku. Team la establish pannanum. Nalla per vanganum. Consistenta perform pannalena life gaali.
Aditya, valaru da, Adi told to himself…

He called Subbu again

Adi
“Subbu, oru help venum. Landmark poi Mike Brearley nu pazhaya England captain, avar autobiography irundha vanigttu vaanga. Famous captain.
Namma veetukku pinnadi oru 18 yards la nalla pitch onnu prepare pananum. Nets podanum.4,5 league adara nalla fast bowler pasanga pidikanum.
Oru box cricket ball, England la enna brand balls use panraangannu parkanum. Slazenger or Duke nu neikiren. Adhu venum. New balls oru set. innoru set oru pakkam rough panina ball. Avanga ooru seaming conditons ku prepare pannanum.
England recenta adina match DVDs irunda vangidunga. ok ya bye…”

He closed his eyes again. He needed some time for himself. Some solitude

His mobile rang.

Adi
“Hello”

Female Voice
“Super star Aditya Srinivasan, epdi irukeenga?”
One female voice said

Adi
“Hello. May I know who is calling?”

Female Voice
“Hey Hey summa peter vidadhey. Receptionist dialogue madhiri irukku.
Appuram epdi pogudhu life laam?”

Adi
” ”
Yaara irukkum.? Idha number epdi?

Female Voice
“Rombo yosikarran kozhandhai. Indha number epdi nu laam yosikaadhey da kanna. Epdiyo kedachadaale dhaney phone panren? BTW summa sollakoodadhu. Un Sharjah innings ai record panni vechu parthom enga veetiley.pinrada nee…”

Adi
“Hey yaarnu sollalena naan cut panniduven. I dont entertain anonymous calls”
He had no plans to disconnect though. He wanted to find out the person.
He felt he knew the person. It was not some freaked out female fan.. He sure knew the person. Could not place the voice..

Female Voice
“Hmm Unakku English theriyuma?”

Adi
“Hello. What nonsense…” Definite a engeyo ketta madhiri irukkey kural?

Female Voice
“Hey hey cool it. Rombo overa nakkal panniten illa? Sorry da.
Seri en peru spell panren. Theriyudhaanu paaru.
N–A–N-D-H-I-N-I..”

Adi
“HHHEEEEYYY, engey di irukkey? Epdi irukkey? Evlo naal achu parthu..sathiyama kural correcta theriyalai da.”

He could not recognise partly becuase they had never spoken over mobile and partly because he surely did not expect her to call…

Nandhini
“Irukken supera.. appuram ennai parka rombo try pannina pola?”

Adi
“Hey illai da. Sorry kovichukadei. Nee vera theermanama sollitey veetile prachnai nu. Appo 10th la parthadoda seri. Cricket dhaan pozhappu. uyir. ellam.
Eppavavadhu un nyabagam varum. Ippo engey irukkey?”

Nandhini
“Hey summa alakedhey. Adhaan pey madhiri car ottitu vandhu enakku munnadi vandhu Bank vaasal la innum nikkariye.”

Adi
“Adi paavi. Unakku epdi theriyum? Nee engey irundhey? Theriyumna appave ennai kuptrikalaam la.”

Nandhini
“Hmm. Seri koncha neram avasthai padatum nu oru nalla ennam… Adhaan oppositela irundhu rasichen.”

Adi tried to look in the opposite direction

Nandhini
“Seri seri angey etti ellam parkadei. Naan angey illa ippo”
She laughed her heart out.

Adi
“Pisasu, engey dhaan di irukkey?”

Nandhini
“Rombo pasikudhu. Nee nera Adyar Gate Hotel vaa. Epdi un levelku yetha madhiri?”

She again laughed.