Prithvi
10 years at Planetcricket
Well, we did practice well and even Chennai did announce their side.
Inclusion of Suren Ram was not expected as he was to select for India's tour of New Zealand.
He was to lead Tamil Nadu team.
Finally, the Big day came up.
Date:- 25th March, 2009.
Place:- Chennai.
I was to play the opening game as an Opening batsmen.Place:- Chennai.
I was to open with Tirumalsetti Suman.
And of course, keeping even is a tough job as there some Left handers in the team.
It was morning, when I discussed on keeping with Dhoni, who wasn't playing this tournament as his home team was not a part of IPL I.
I was surprised to see him and Laxman sir called up him and asked to watch my keeping.
I was totally under pressure and I thought its "Dhobi" who was watching but not Dhoni to make myself more comfortable.
After seeing my performance, he commented, "this guy can create problem to my post in the Indian side."
I was shocked to receive those type of comments from him.
Even, as Laxman Sir asked me to bat, I even did bat with some Dhonian Shots which came up pretty well.
I even was shocked why I got those shots connected
:confused:Finally, some good comments on me made my confidence level good.
Everyone did encourage me and even, I was shocked to see that the Deccan Chargers, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers B'Lore, Chennai Super Kings owners and officials were in Chennai.
I was on fire to get select either for the Chargers or the Challengers.
It was 04:00PM in the evening.
The match was to start at 07:00PM.
Three hours.
ANd even, Tournament officials said that they'll be having Ratings so that it'd be easy to know whether to select for IPL or not.
I was on fire to be on class I and get selected for DC or RCB.
I took up the bat, went on to bat for a while.
After I batted, I just asked manager to provide me a hawk Eye.
I saw everything and later on, went in discussion with team.
I talked to Suman bro about the strategy.
He said that the wicket was good for batting. We'll hopefully bat first and put up a total above 200.
(My Mind said: Idiot, its your scoring rate which decides it
)After a while, even Suman said the same,"its your scoring rate which decides it"
We discussed for about one and half hour and then went to dressing room.
It was the toss time.
Both the captains were at the center.
Suman was to call.
He called Tails.
Suren spinned it to tails.
Yeppieeee..................................
Suman declared that we would like to Bat first.
But Suren Ram Said that he would have bowled first if he'd have won the toss.
I was shocked..!!
But Laxman sir said that they'll say in that was to make us frighten.
He even gave me some tips for opening.
Suman announced line up for us.
Is was the same line up played between HCA and KSCA.
But this time, I was to be at Strikers end as Suman didn't wore Pads and Gloves.
He took up his pads and gloves and moved on to field.
I was padded up and I walked on field.
When I was walking on field, everyone was shouting (the same time, Suren walked out
)I was in a bit confusion state.
Finally, I took up my position.
Laxmipathi Balaji was the opening bowler for them.
Umpire asked "Hyderabad, are you ready?"
Suman Replied,"Yeah, sir."
Umpire," Chennai, are you ready?"
Suren replied," Of Course, sir."
Umpire said," Then why to wait, its time. Lets play Gentlemen."
I was shocked that he called me Gentleman.
Indeed, I am playing professional Cricket. So, I was..
Balaji started his run up, I took up strike.
Total crowd started roaring like anything else.
Hoooohooohooohooohooohoohhhhhhhh..................................
