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Cricket On The Streets!


It is another fine evening of a bright Sunday. As the wind blows with full gusto, the young boys and girls can be seen playing on the footpaths and streets that line the heart of the neighborhood. With loud voices heard from distances apart, it throws light on the days as a young boy, living in the confines of a vast and expansive neighborhood. As the boy raises his bat to hit his target, a loud stream of voices can be heard from far-off, driving eagerness and enthusiasm in the much-loved sport amongst the Indian populace- cricket!

With a blissful passion filling the hearts of the young people in this age and time, a trove full of countless memories reinvigorates itself as I lay there spellbound. A reminder of the good old summer holidays playing with a few friends as the schools would close for that time of the year. As I would lay outside, waiting for one of my good old schoolmates to come join us for the game, a loud sound of the TV could be heard. The television set would be tuned into one of the cricket channels- Tens Cricket or Star Sports, some of which remain very pertinent to this day. The exciting time, would be when the same channels would either play the ICC cricket matches live, or play a recap of the entire game. This in turn would drive passion amongst some of my old game buddies who with great excitement would run with their bats, ball and stumps to setup the area for the game.

Some very common or pertinent words of- Out!, No ball! Hatrick! could be heard very often as the players drew their attention into the game. What really excited me and brought me back to play on each passing day of the summer holidays, was the atmosphere and the surroundings that characterized the mood and feel of the game. With less to no cars dotting the parking lots of the evenings back then, a suitable climate or atmosphere was created which helped bring about the essential charm or enthusiasm into the game, adding to it the presence of a nearby cafeteria which really helped catapult the spirits after the game was over.

Looking back at those times and seeing a new generation take on the same game with high spirits, I am thrilled beyond measure and filled with amusement as I recollect the bygone days of my childhood, filled with countless memories to cherish as of this present-day time and era..



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