WORLD CUP 2011

THIS TIME FOR 3

TENDULKAR

women too are Everybody is getting ready for their own brand of day-night games. DNA brings you wars that would be fought in next 40 days
ready for battle,
albeit of a different
kind. Shailaza Singh
takes a closer look
JAIPUR’S BATTLES ON HOME TURF
Not tonight darling, I have a headache It’s time for those Louis Vuittons, ladies

INDIA Sandipan Sharma

When it comes to hitting men, women

know where it hurts the most. They
know that men scream with pain
when the ball is hit hard and they are
unable to catch the action on a TV
mumbling recluses, who turn on along with
the television sets and, well… turn off along
with them.
When the only scoring they do is limited
to the pitch; score sheets at home be damned,
no-balls and all. When they come alive only
at the sight of men in blue and the women

OF THE WORLD
Will get my own TV
I am not fond of cricket because
whenever a match is telecast, I have
to give my favourite TV serials a
miss. So, my husband has promised
to gift me a new TV set on my
birthday this year, which falls in
March, so that I can watch my
favourite soap operas.
—Manju Singh, homemaker
We have an understanding
We have an understanding and
don’t disturb each other
whenever our preferred
programmes are telecasted. I
will let him watch cricket and
he will not bother me when I
watch my favourite soaps or
movies.
—Mohita Tiwari, homemaker
screen.
Do not blame the poor guy for
exposing his vulnerable spot. Af-
ter all, Adam was born in Eden Gar-
dens and his first original sin was
of handling a red orb. Now they
can’t let go of their first love.
Some women use this rare knowl-
edge of men’s G-spot (Game of
cricket, silly) to their advantage. For
this rare breed, the World Cup is the
perfect time to get back at them.
So, don’t be surprised if, just when
Sachin is on the verge of a crucial cen-
tury, the milk suddenly turns sour and
you’ve to go and get a refill, NOW, be-
cause the kid is hollering. Chances are
she is pinching him. Don’t lose your pa-
tience if on the day of the India-Eng-
land match, your opponent comes up
with a firman for attending the wedding
of a distant relative. Chances are the rel-
ative doesn't even exist.
Ignore all requests, mumbled or
screamed, for turning down the volume,
shrug off all suggestions to look at the
watch in the middle of the night, and yes,
don't even yield to the final temptation for
switching off the lights early. Let all action
take place only on the cricket pitch.
For it is that time of the year when men will
fall in love with men, and that too 11 at a time,
when they will give up all pretences of civiliza-
tion and morph into screaming, foul-mouthed,
revengeful Neanderthals; and when remote is
the only companion they would be willing to
sleep with. For everything else, we are ready
with a woman's favourite reply: Not tonight, dar-
ling. I have a headache.
Juhi Shah
Oh God, no! The month (well, 40 days) of
madness is upon us and it is time for most
women, poor souls, to bid goodbye to the idea
of husbands/boyfriends.
For, this is the time when the sanest of
men—read normal, gregarious, helpful, at-
tentive (well, mostly)—turn into barely alive
they married, committed to start wondering
if a more thorough background check would
have been in order (‘I should have listened to
Dad!’).
When the only helping (to themselves,
that is) they do is to that six-pack chilling in
the fridge and the only time they vaguely re-
semble their original selves is when they
rouse themselves to say—charm fully in
place—‘Darling… your prawn tandoori is
just out of the world. Do you think you could
rustle up some when the gang comes over for
the India-South Africa tonight?'
(Never mind, this is the first time you have
heard any mention of five testosterone-high
males pumping your living room couch that
day, and night! And never mind that puz-
zled frown—the only answer to your polite
request to get some chicken for Sunday
lunch with the in-laws.)
Thankfully, this madness comes upon the
sisterhood only once in four years and that
is not the only bright side to it. Trust me,
there is another silver lining! It’s simple too.
Just turn that adage, ‘the way to a man’s
heart’ the way of the telly and ask for that
Louis Vuitton. Yes! When all you are going
to get is ‘mmm… hmm’ in response to any-
thing you say. Mind you, the whole new
monogrammed range, ladies!

Have started liking cricket Desi fans Dear Sir, when is the ‘declaration’ coming?
I don’t get enough time to
watch my favourite
serials on television
during World Cup. But I
in Uncle Sorry, children, but that is a ‘silly point’
cannot do much as my
husband insists me to
watch the game with
him and now even I
Sam’s land Game on, TV
have started liking
cricket.
Sanjeev Vidyarthi

“Mujro Sa…what’s
—Mansi Kataria, architect
local cab company about impending late pick-
ups.
His proposition, however, takes the wind out
off. Help, God
the plan?” enquired of my sail. The thought of hanging out with Apoorv Krishan
my distant cousin's an all-male young crowd rooting for cricket
onetime friend. We with beer cans through icy nights somehow Here comes the World Cup which all of
Cricket means extra work met fortuitously and
been longer in Chicago
makes me feel old. I try clear my head by star-
ing at the two feet of obstinate snow along the
us were eagerly waiting for. Cricket has
come a long way from being a gentleman’s
During World he is prone to caring walkway through the grimy windowpane and game to a people’s one. The game gener-
Cup, my Jodhpur-style, especial- mumble clumsily “Awesome. Thanks for invit- ates a lot of interest and anyone can grasp
husband ly for fellow Rajasthanis ing me. Why are you doing this?” His tone re- its nuances quicker than any other game.
returns when missing home. He is mains unfazed and he retorts promptly: “You For a game popular in even ‘gali-mo-
home early otherwise a very fine mean organising the six week long party? Come hallas’, a bat and ball of any kind is just
and then young man fruitfully em- on…when do we get a chance like this, enough. For me it’s the best way to enjoy
sits in ployed with a solvent Amer- bhaisaab? Unlike IPL, the world cup comes in hanging around with friends.
front of ican Bank. We have not spo- four years and there are only a The World Cup madness is in the air.
the TV ken for a while and unsure of few people like us here.” Old, young, rich, poor, are just waiting to
to the intent, I mutter about mun- The latter be glued to their radio and TV sets for the
watch cricket and I have to do dane chores in a rather part of next one month. As final exams are ap- KB Kain even a single ball by reaching home,
the household work. He even apologetic tone pre- justi- proaching, I have already planned the re- say at 2.35 pm. And if India is playing
calls his gang of friends to suming he wants fication vision of my syllabus keeping in mind I walked briskly down the corridor. I and especially if it is batting, then who
cheer up team India and I to meet this remains all the important matches. I have asked was preoccupied with my thoughts, till would like to miss even a single ball
cook for them. weekend. with me as I my friends to do the same. I love cricket. I heard a sentence which Ajay uttered that Sachin or Sehwag face.
—Shivani Rathore, business analyst keep the phone Actually, I love Sachin in his classroom. “Yaar, the chances For those of you who don’t work in
down promising to the most. He is the best are as good as Bangladesh beating In- schools here are some of the terms
show up sometimes. player in the world. This dia,” he said. I stopped and asked what children use to specify situations at
Sharma Ji calls the next time, my father had chance he was talking about. Ajay school.
day. He is middle-aged and osten- promised me that he’ll replied, “Sir the chances of me passing a) No ball - when you do something
sibly enchanted with the American pro- take me to one of the in the Math exam.” And pat came a re- wrong, like bunk a class or try to use
clivity for solitude. But he is patriotic, likes matches. I was very hap- buttal from a rather cynical girl, “You unfair means. b) Run out—when you
“Kya sir…I’m asking about family-style gatherings, and keeps a sharp eye py because I was have a good chance then.” are caught doing something
the cricket World Cup” he clarifies, giving a on ‘good deals.’ No wonder, he seldom calls and would see Sachin play- Yes, the cricket World wrong by a teacher. c) Action
quick roadmap: His cricket buddies who rou- always buys Indian rice and tea although the ing live at the stadium. I Cup is here and everything Replay—when the school dis-
tinely play the game, weather and time per- Pakistani Basmati and Kenyan leaves are twen- had packed my auto- and everyone is linked to ciplinary committee deliber-
mitting, have commandeered a ‘well-stocked’ ty-five percent cheaper. Like always, he has a graph book and even my bat so that I can the game. From comparing ates on a child’s actions. d)
bachelor’s pad. deal up his sleeve. take his autograph. But, I don’t know someone looks to a crick- Googly—When a child tries
To accommodate additional guests, they “Arre Maharaj, Dish has an excellent pack- what God wants from me. I told him that eter’s—“Oh such-and-such to mislead a teacher or a
have also booked the cellar in a sports age…if you order before February 19, $129 for I desperately want to go for one of the Sir looks like Brett Lee!” — classmate by saying some-
It is wise to join bar for India is mostly playing week- all the matches. Everyone including the miser- matches but he did not listen. Now, I also to students’ performance in thing but doing exactly the
ends. “Come as often as you can ly Mr X is in. If you still won’t get it; come over have my exams during the world cup. I exams, to using cricketers opposite. e) Clean bowled—
the bandwagon and bring a change because sometimes.” don’t know why God did this to me even as a simile — “Isn’t he getting on in age When you are not able to understand
matches start 9 pm and 2 am I tell Priti that I might watch some matches after my daily prayers at a temple. like Sachin Tendulkar? He has become anything in a class lesson. f) Silly Point
Chicago time…many of us and she is welcome to join at Sharma Ji’s place. My parents have switched off the TV a bit slow”. Every conversation in the —When someone makes a ridiculous
If you
plan to head directly to She looks at me askance. I think the thought of and won’t let me watch the matches. But, school centres on cricket. point while arguing. g) Short Leg—
can’t beat
work; though feel free my renewed interest in cricket intrigues her. I have also decided that I will complete my In schools these days, all conversa- When a child is not as tall as his class-
them, get along
to leave earlier.” She knows my sentiments about match fixing studies during the day and watch match- tions veer towards cricket. Very soon mates.
with them. This
Apparently, he controversies and is perhaps doubtful of my es in the night. Dad has told me that he attendance will fall and there will be Perhaps the one term which is not
is the best way to
has it all fig- motives. I tell her: “Yaar, we know only a hand- will record the matches for me. But, it’s excuses galore about why children being used at the moment, but will
avoid any debate in
ured out in- ful desis. It seems most are watching the World okay. Till the final match, my exams will miss classes. Though most of the surely do the rounds is ‘Declaration’. I
your family. For the
cluding Cup.” She smiles disarmingly and says: “Oh, get over and I along with my friends will matches start at 2.30 pm, which is when am sure children are going to ask the
next one-and-a-half month
an ad- the community is getting together!” enjoy it at my house on the big TV. the school gets over, children, espe- school principal to declare a holiday if
everyone is going to discuss
vance The writer teaches at the University of I wish India gets the Cup this time! cially those who commute by the India wins the World Cup. And if that
cricket be it at home, office or
notice Illinois at Chicago The writer is a student of DPS, Jaipur school buses, will be tempted to stay happens then……..
friends place. Also, one cannot
to the at home. They would not like to miss The writer is principal, DPS, Jaipur
really stop a man from watching
cricket so it will be wise to

The bachelor who

develop interest in the game
and join their club.
—Manu Singh, pvt sector
employee

Khichi (circle) with a team
that won Sharma Mathur
tournament organised by
him for last 40 years
Syed Intishab Ali
“I am still a bachelor. I have
never worked to earn bread and
butter. Cricket is all I live for,”
seventy-year-old Nagarmal
Khichi said proudly.
Khichi is one of the pas-
Nagarmal Khichi sionate cricketers, who sacri-
married cricket
ficed all worldly pleasure for
the love of the game. The sep-
tuagenarian has no regret
about not getting married and
having no children.
Saying this, his face lit up
with pride to have dedicated his
entire life to the gentlemen’s
game. “I have not loved cricket
for money. I am proud of what
I have done in my life. It was my
sheer love for the game,” he
said.
He once lived in the uptown
part of the city—Bani Park—
but now resides in a Vyas Na-
gar, which is considered as bad
as a slum area.
But talking about the stature
of the man in Rajasthan crick-
et, he has played with is among
the first crop of Rajasthan play-
ers that include former Ra-
jasthan player and former pres-
ident of the Board of Control
for Cricket in India (BCCI) Raj
Singh Dungerpur and Indian
Test player Parthasarthy Shar-
ma. They played for the same
team, Bani Park Cricket Club,
in 1960s.
In 1955 Bani Park Cricket
Club was formed with the ini-
tiative of former RAS Bal Kis-
han Sharma, the founder mem-
ber of club. In 1958, the club pre-
pared a turf pitch in Maharani
School in Bani Park. “After that
we prepared a turf pitch, where
the Madho Singh Circle exists
to this day,” he said.
“I played a lot of cricket but
as the Rajasthan team was com-
pletely packed with Maharash-
tra players, local talent did not
get chance to play,” he said.
In memory of founder Bal
Kishan Sharma and another
cricket lover Madan Mohan
Mathur, Bani Park Cricket
Club started Sharma-Mathur
cricket tournament. As most
cricket tournaments crumbled
under financial constraints
and suffered organisers’ lack of
will power, Sharma-Mathur
tournament is considered to be
the oldest cricket tournament
now. It started in 1970. Though
I faced many adversities I nev-
er gave up and continued to or-
ganise tournament in which
Rajasthan Ranji players also
participate,” he said. He has
vowed to continue organising
this tourney till death.