Test of a lifetime

It was almost ten years since I had indulged in a “live, on the ground” Test match — and the first India-South Africa Test was too good an opportunity to miss. IPL or ICL, Test cricket is Test cricket. Fortunately, the pre-match downpours stopped, and people poured in for the “Sehwag” match. My husband came for a day, my son — normally a hundred per cent attendance type — bunked college for three days… and I wisely took full “Test match leave” from my office.

All roads lead to Chepauk. Sehwag on the rampage — setting records and “setting the match afire”… I was desperate to get tickets (our club having let us down with season tickets). Rushing early to the stadium, my heart sank — a mile-long queue. I charged up to the counter at the top, hoping it would be “Ladies First” — “Ladies ke kudu pa (Give it to the lady ),” said the amused policeman at the ticket stands. Music to my ears. I grabbed that chance with both hands. One hand thrusting the cash towards the ticket clerk, and the other almost snatching the tickets from the bewildered person behind the kiosk… And before anyone could cry, “‘Howzat’ lady jumping the queue?” I disappeared into the stands as fast as a Sehwag-hit sixer.

The excitement grew… Viru — smashing his way to his second triple ton, crowds cheering, Mexican waves. I was sms-ing everyone I knew. Then there was the legend, Rahul Dravid, achieving 10,000 Test runs — truly a champion. I borrowed some chart paper from the boys in front of me, and held out the slogan: “Rahul — you’re a brick!”

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But why focus on a cricket-ravaged, half-century-plus lady, when there were pretty young things holding out “We love you Rahul” placards? The cameramen knew where to set their sights! And Sehwag and Dravid, setting high standards, raised the spectator-viewing levels of this drawn, but historic Test match.

With apologies to Wordsworth:

I gazed — and gazed — and delightedly thought/ What wealth the show to me had brought/ ‘Ten thousand’, saw I at a glance/ No way could I have missed this chance/ They flash upon the inward eye/ The game, the sporting crowd — in Chennai/ And then my heart with pleasure fills/ And relives those memorable thrills.