Anirud's first cricket tournament

Anirud has been going for cricket coaching for the last 3 years. The first couple of years had been with VB Cricket Academy and last year we shifted to School coaching for weekend activity. For 2 years he had gone for summer coaching at school. Basically, the intent was to ensure that he gets into the School team.

Eventually, this dream came true this Friday when he represented Chettinad Vidyashram for under 10 tournament conducted by PSBB School. When it was announced that he would represent the School team, he was so excited that it knew no bounds. He was like a bird freed from the cage flying into the wilderness with unbridled joy and happiness.

He mentioned this to his friends in school, building complex and God knows to whom else. On Friday morning, he woke up without much tantrum and got ready on his own in real quick time. It usually takes a lot of push and pull to get him ready by wearing his school uniform, complete his food and pack his bags. He wore his whites for the tournament and not his usual school uniform and was ready by 7.45 AM whereas he would not move until it was close to 8.00 AM on other normal days.

I had to drop him to the bus as his Mom was getting ready to go for a marriage. All of us wished him well, with sweet kisses and wanted him to play well. He usually comes back home by 4 PM from School. And these days, whenever an important event happens in his life, he would immediately call me from home to update me, like a few days earlier he mentioned that he was selected in the playing XI.

They were supposed to leave their school by 11 AM and so I thought that this would get over by evening and I was waiting to hear as to what happened and how was his day. My spouse was much more eager than me and when I called her, she also said that she was waiting for his return. And so he returned by around 5 PM and I got a call from him. When I asked him how was the day, he was sober and mentioned that he did not get a chance to bat or bowl since it was his first match. And his master snatched and pulled him by his hair since he mis-fielded and left out 2 boundaries. He obviously got overwhelmed by the shouting of his master than by the match situation.

I told him, that's how it's going to be and all star performers weren't successful on day one and they all learnt through their and by watching other's mistakes. And first of all, he should not be scared of anyone or anything. He has to be his natural self to be successful in life, be it any sphere.

And so, we wait to see another day as to how this would transpire and shape up...but I am sure this would be a good learning at such a young age to be exposed to the harsh realities of life...of winning, losing, team participation, team celebrations and learning where we stand amidst the ruins and realms of life...before we take the next step forward.

Because that's what life is all about, isn't it...as they all say...give it your best shot...whatever you have got within you...and you would get back....what you deserve...either today, tomorrow...or some other day...but then the rebound is bound to happen...no matter when...where...you least expect it...so catch them young...and they will learn to live up to it...like a king...

#Anirud