Why we keep showing up !!!

We all love a close game. One where both teams give it their all, and the result becomes almost incidental — because every moment leading up to the end feels more meaningful than the outcome itself.

It got me thinking about all the games we've played on the maidaan over the years. Since we started back in 2019, we've now completed 18 seasons. At an average of 12 games a season, that’s nearly 200 games.

So, here’s the question: what keeps this crew coming back weekend after weekend?

For some, it's a break from the daily grind. For others, it’s about pride. And then there are those who still need a little push just to walk those ten metres to the field — but even they show up. And of course, there’s the core group whose lives revolve around this weekend madness.

Is it the game that draws us in? Or is it something deeper — the spirit of being present, of being childlike and free, of leaving the world behind for a few hours?

Another question follows: we all play sport to win. But more important than the win itself is the intent to win. The drive. The mindset. Let’s be honest — no one really has time for people who aren’t trying. And thinking back to those 200-odd games, I can safely say that Satya and I have probably played in nearly all of them — and lost at least 60% (if not more). But you’d be hard-pressed to find two people more committed to showing up. Rain or shine, win or lose — we’re there.

And maybe that’s the point. It’s that shared understanding — that unspoken pact — that keeps this whole thing alive and growing. We each come to the maidaan with different expectations, but we all take something away.

And oh, the drama. None of it scripted. King’s razor-sharp wit. Vikram’s perpetual lateness. Vicky shifting fielders like it’s a chessboard. AK darting across the turf. Sameer’s casual saunter while batting. Hari channeling Kiran More. Dhruv pouncing like a shark. Kishore’s trademark first-ball block. The slander. The shouting. The swearing. The arguments. And being best friends by the end of it all.

It makes every minute worth it.

I didn’t have a reason to write this. But I loved yesterday’s Test match — the resilience, the heart, the love for the game. And I saw so many parallels. In the end, it’s not just about winning.

It’s about showing up. Every single time.