The Debut

9 years ago around this time in March, a bouncer at 150kph was murdered over the point fence at Centurion for one of the most famous sixes in world cricket. The corporate match played yesterday at the Loyola ground wasn't even close to being compared with the above one, but both will remain in my memory forever.

Technically, my debut in leather ball cricket was done in college final year. But I don't count that. For I didn't know what all I had to wear before going into batting. I came back twice to get the thigh pad and the gloves. Nor did I know I could be out LBW; effect of playing loads of tennis ball cricket. And I could score only 2. I expect myself to do better. So that match stands canceled. Either ways no one saw it.

And so here I was, after joining Qualcomm, trying my best to be part of their team, with nets practice almost everyday. And finally last week made it to the team as a keeper-batsman.

"Three down for Qualcomm now. In comes the debutant. This is a pressure situation for him. The seniors have been rested and he might have this only opportunity to prove his mettle. Here's the first ball. The bowler is charging in. SIX! Monstrous hit. Flicked nonchalantly over square-leg. A bit of Gilchrist in that. That was a brutal hit. Here's his second ball. Short outside off. He flashes and flashes hard! Another SIX! This time over cover-point. Some start to his innings this. Here's his third delivery. Full on middle. Plundered straight down the ground. SIX! As straight as an arrow. No chance for anyone (In the crowd, I mean). Three in three. Whoa! Around the wicket this time. Will it make a difference? No it doesn't. Full toss, hammered past long off for his fourth consecutive SIX! This kid is surely packing a punch. That went like a tracer bullet! There is a team meeting now. And if the next ball goes for six, that meeting might get just a bit extended. Here's the bowler, back over the wicket. Goodness me. Another SIX! Start the tuk tuk, I say. This kid is doing to the bowler, what Yuvraj did to Broad. At Durban. Five in a row. The bowler is clueless as he marks his run up for his final delivery. What batting this. He now has the license to go for the full monty. Here's the final delivery of the over. 30 runs so far. What a game of cricket this. And he's hit it away or has he? YES! SIX! SIX SIXES in an over. Quite astonishing batting this. "

I don't remember what my non-striker was telling me. But truth is I am going to bat for the first time in a proper cricket match. 2 fours, one pulled and the other slog-swept and plenty of singles and doubles later, I managed to score 25 off 18 balls and got out trying to accelerate in the penultimate over. But I had done enough to get my team to 171 in 20 overs. Not a bad start to a career. And we got the opposition out for 114 despite a few blemishes by me as a 'keeper.

Good start. Hope this continues and I keep my spot in the team!