my very own jogo bonito

Big tournament tomorrow. 8 a side cricket with finals under lights at police gymkhana. Should be real fun. I hope. I also hope to whack a few balls…Its funny how if I see my self, I really started playing cricket after college. I really developed whatever cricketing skills very late. I guess that’s why I might not be technically very correct but the sheer dint of perseverance helps me hang on to the game. Also at 31 the guys get all older and unfit and I try to at least have some semblance of fitness. If nothing at least I try not to have too much excess weight on. That it self is a 50 point advantage to the others.
I have learnt a lot form my cricket guru – Arun Solanki; and a lot about captainship from him. He is the boss I bow down to. Thanks to him I am playing whatever little I can. Thanks to him I am able to use brain work to further the game and many times lead team to victory. Every match, every season I think about him. Many times I try and visualize what he would have done in the situation and then try to take calls. Thank you Arun. There is a large part of me that I owe to you.
Taking Jispa to the matches is also quite nice. She equally happy if I win or lose. She just wants me back from the field. She does not like me going to play all alone.
Cricket has been more than a sport to me. It’s a game that I find mentally simulating. Today I am thinking about the game and getting butterflies in the stomach. Should I bat up or down. Should I field at covers or at midwicket. The games are lost often before they start. Lets see. I am thinking of some good motivation tools to use tomorrow. Hope they turn out right. Basic pride building, goal setting for each and every one and a love for playing! I really don’t care if we win or lose. My biggest endeavor is always to ensure we play more than capacity. Then I don’t care what happens. Capacities differ, the challenge is always to play above it!