Do you believe in superstitions? Watching the cricket T20 world cup semifinals yesterday reminded me of how the world of cricket is full of superstitions. Sachin Tendulkar always wore his left pad first. Michael Clarke always listens to very loud music before batting. Good old umpire Dicky Bird hopped uncomfortably whenever the scoreboard read 111 or its multiples. What they wear, what they do and how they do- before, during and after batting, bowling, fielding or umpiring- is all fully cataloged in their minds. After all, they don't want to fail and if there is a magic combination that has a non-zero chance of helping with success, they latch on to it!
My family not only loves cricket, but loves coming up with our own magic combinations to help with Indian team's success. My mother likes to be busy in the kitchen pretending not to be interested when the rest of us adhere to the TV screens. My father switches to the radio when the going gets tough for Indian men. They firmly believe that their showing no interest/switching from TV to the radio was the sole reason why India pulled victory from the jaws of defeat on many occasions. My husband believes that whatever I predict before or during the game comes true. I was blamed for many lost matches because I surmised that India might lose. I should have been a bookie! I am totally in the wrong profession!
The most ridiculous of such superstitions, and one that I promptly share at all family gatherings, involves one of my cousins. We were all watching a tense cricket match where the opponents were doing well in their run chase and the shoulders began to droop for the Indian bowlers. The Indian team desperately needed to break the batting partnership. They needed a wicket. Right then, there was a knock on the door and in walked my cousin. His taking a seat in front of our TV and the Indian bowler getting a wicket happened simultaneously. Indian team went on to win that match. For our family, my cousin's walking in was the sole reason why India won that day. My cousin instantly got elevated to celebrity status. It just so happens that my cousin was the reason for Indian win that day according to my uncle's family next door, too. Only it was his exit from their living room as opposed to his entry into ours. :)
As for India's loss yesterday, I believe I have the root cause identified. I bought a team-India jersey during my recent trip to India and wore it on the day of Sachin's last innings in November. Sachin got out two overs after I wore that jersey. I wore it again yesterday for T20 finals which India lost. My perfectly fine jersey is tainted for life and will not be worn before or during any cricket match involving India. I don't want India to lose because of me, you know? :)
My family not only loves cricket, but loves coming up with our own magic combinations to help with Indian team's success. My mother likes to be busy in the kitchen pretending not to be interested when the rest of us adhere to the TV screens. My father switches to the radio when the going gets tough for Indian men. They firmly believe that their showing no interest/switching from TV to the radio was the sole reason why India pulled victory from the jaws of defeat on many occasions. My husband believes that whatever I predict before or during the game comes true. I was blamed for many lost matches because I surmised that India might lose. I should have been a bookie! I am totally in the wrong profession!
The most ridiculous of such superstitions, and one that I promptly share at all family gatherings, involves one of my cousins. We were all watching a tense cricket match where the opponents were doing well in their run chase and the shoulders began to droop for the Indian bowlers. The Indian team desperately needed to break the batting partnership. They needed a wicket. Right then, there was a knock on the door and in walked my cousin. His taking a seat in front of our TV and the Indian bowler getting a wicket happened simultaneously. Indian team went on to win that match. For our family, my cousin's walking in was the sole reason why India won that day. My cousin instantly got elevated to celebrity status. It just so happens that my cousin was the reason for Indian win that day according to my uncle's family next door, too. Only it was his exit from their living room as opposed to his entry into ours. :)
As for India's loss yesterday, I believe I have the root cause identified. I bought a team-India jersey during my recent trip to India and wore it on the day of Sachin's last innings in November. Sachin got out two overs after I wore that jersey. I wore it again yesterday for T20 finals which India lost. My perfectly fine jersey is tainted for life and will not be worn before or during any cricket match involving India. I don't want India to lose because of me, you know? :)
Have you heard of 'Gachibowli Sudhakar'... character. We will have to call you.."Portland jyothamma".. :)).
ReplyDeleteThere hardly is any ring to that title. Inkastha kalaposhana penchali babu!
ReplyDelete