Sunday, January 24, 2010

Runouts - Part 3

Well i lied - the title of this post has nothing to do with a runout but since it carries on in similar vein to the earlier run out posts, this one also carries the run out title.

Having gotten the disclaimer out of the way let us continue to the arbit part of the post (as with all run out posts)

So the same batsman who was runout the last time on a duck after an excruciating wait for the third umpire to call the decision gets another chance to play and shine. He waits in the dressing room for his turn to bat - twiddling his thumbs as the batsman just before him gets out. He starts visualising his innings in his head - wanting to go out there and play but at the same time wishing a delay for him to go in and face the music.

Finally its his turn to bat - he starts confidently, running the singles - trying to lay the base for a longer innings and his big shots. Right then he goes for a big shot - but just as it seems that the ball is to carry away over the boundary - the fielder catches the ball right at the edge. The umpire signals it as a six making the batsman want to cheer! But cue the UDRS which is called upon immediately and the decision gets overturned to get the batsman out.

He trudges back again - wondering what could have been, wondering if he will ever be back to get another chance at batting?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Out of Office

This is the Out of Office I had written while on leave - and i am wanting to put it up on the blog as it deserves a wider audience. Yes this is a complete show of non-modesty. But its MY blog.

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Hi - this is the Outlook Out of Office Assistant filling in for Pushkar. I hereby inform you that Pushkar is on leave from 28th December to the 14th of January (If you have queries on how that leave ever got approved - you would have to contact his Boss - XYZ <+91number>)

While on leave, Pushkar will have no access to his mail box but to deal with immensely urgent issues, he suggests that you drop him an sms and he will get back to you.

In the mean time, if you have any GSA related issues to discuss you would do well to contact his enthusiastic FSCMs (who will no doubt be celebrating and enjoying the free reign that Pushkar's absence will bring to them)

For Ahmedabad Zone, ABC on +91number
For Surat Zone, DEF on +91number
For Rajkot Zone, GHI +91number

For any branch related issues, it is strongly recommended that you get in touch with PQR (our extremely knowledgeable and helpful BOM - you might have to get past his incessant laughter track before that though) on +91number

Pushkar also advises me to wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New year in his absence!

Cheers!

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Names and numbers have been masked ofcourse!

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Runouts - Part II

The debutant walked to the middle - having waited 27 years to make his debut. Facing his first ball, he played at it and placed it close to the mid on fielder. To run or not to run was the call he had to make.

It would be his first run ever - but he would really have to take the leap to make the run - or really take a dive to make it. He ran - daring the throw of the sharp fielder, shaking off his own inhibitions and then saw the ball closing in on the stumps. He did the only thing he could - dive in full length.

While the dust blew up in front of his eyes, his ears could catch the audibly boisterous appealing of the fielding team. He glanced up to see the Umpire make the familiar signal to the 3rd umpire.

And those were possibly the longest moments of his life - the black TV screen showing an advertiser endorsing the 'Decision Awaited' graphic. The heartbeats for him could not be any faster and just then the screen flashes up the decision - a red coloured 'OUT' graphic.

And his nervous energy dissipates into disappointment but not before he vows to come out again and bat and this time beat the throw from that sharp fielder.