Author alert - Chaitanya pens his thoughts

 Hi guys, as we head into a break from cricket I thought it was apt to pen a little note. So here goes.

I'm not your typical extrovert. I have not taken enough opportunities to socialize with folks at Palladian. Most of you didn't even know I've been living here for close to 5 years. The few times I've seen you guys play at maidan, I didn't think much of it. I thought it would be similar to the last time I played cricket with a bunch of folks from work - a few forty-something guys, trying desperately to tell themselves that they are not too old. Trying harder to tuck their tummies in than to stop the ball going past them two feet away.

I still don't know what made me message Arjun on that cloudy morning in March. He replied immediately and asked me to join a game. I came to maidan by 7:30 only to watch people walk in by 8:15. 'What else did you expect?' I told myself. I thought I'd just hit a few balls, send down a few wides and call it a day for nostalgia's sake. Everyone seemed friendly, shook my hand, introduced themselves and tried to make me feel welcome. Then I was told the 'maidan' rules and I did a facepalm in my head.

As the game went on I realized I was playing with a bunch of guys as passionate as any I've ever seen, completely lost in the moment and giving a hundred percent. How I never heard a single gaali from any of you guys, I'll never understand. Later that day, I learned that it was an unofficial game where the intensity was turned down to a 6/7 (by my later estimates). Official games between the two teams that called themselves Vikings and Infernos (ridiculous! I thought to myself) were much more intense, I was told. Maybe it won't be too bad, I thought to myself. The next day I could barely get out of bed with a stiff back and I saw Arjun walk over to the tennis court. A stark reminder of my pathetic fitness levels.

I was surprised to be made part of Vikings based on my 'performance' on that first day (Let this be a reminder of the perils of making decisions on small sample sizes). And soon came my first official game. It would have been easy to tell myself that it didn't mean much, but when I looked around and saw the intensity on 15 other faces it was hard not to take the game seriously. 15 guys who... well, maybe not 15, Kishore is always there (I haven't seen a more chilled-out guy in my life). So, 14 other guys who looked like those football players who just heard Al Pachino's speech from 'Any Given Sunday'. I never though I'd get nervous about playing a 'galli cricket' game. But I was and three months later, I still am.

What's great about all that intensity is its really short half-life. There is loads of fun happening on the side. A lot of teasing, friendly banter, and rivalries carried over from other games. I remember cracking up when I first saw Vicky's antics trying to put pressure on the fielders. Watching Kiran get sledged when his son comes up to bowl is always fun. And I always like to be around Vikram when he's on the field - never a dull moment.

It would be remiss of me not to talk about the skill levels on display. Hari's keeping, Arjun's bowling, Kingley's batting (man was that an inning to remember), (and Sameer's batting, and Raghu's batting, and... I can keep going)  Harsha's fielding (well... everything Harsha does on the field is amazing) and HK's.... hmmm... not really sure what all the hype is about the guy :P.

I also want to call to attention Satya's big heart and spirit, AK sir's enthusiasm, Mark's bald head (well, I've just seen the guy once on the field), CP's general CPness (I don't have words to describe his unique borderline-lazy swagger). A special thanks to Samir for making me feel comfortable. I hope I have not missed anyone's name. If I have, don't worry, I accept payments on GPay to write unbiased, completely true testimonials - DM me.

There is no need to write about Vikings' amazing comeback or my role in it - my strike rate, my lightning speed in the field, my accurate bowling and the stunning catches I have taken or just the fact that I'm a lucky charm. Seriously guys, I'm just a regular guy playing to have fun. Please don't fight over which team I should play for.

Lastly, I want to say that I appreciate the great bunch of guys you all are. As I said, I'm not your typical extrovert. I have not taken enough opportunities to socialize with folks at Palladian and I'm kicking myself for it. But better late than never.