October 2019

Ahmedabad

In the Manchester city of India, or better known as Ahmedabad, where on one side tourists were seen enjoying the traditional Gujrati delicacies and others were seen in rush for it was nearly the closing time of the market. One not so small part of this big city was filled with commentary, roars, excited cheers, and people of almost all ages. Well that part is popularly known as Narendra Modi Stadium, the biggest one in India. You all must be wondering about the reason. The reason is the finals of the T-20 world cup between India and Sri Lanka. To say India was doing a decent, in chasing the runs would be an understatement because it was doing much better than what you call as decent.

To say that the stars were in favour of our team would not be wrong. First the Captain won the toss, opting for fielding. Then they managed to stop Sri Lanka at fair 175 runs. Then the opening duo, which consists of our Captain and his co opener, who has been constant since last 3 years put up a great partnership of 93 runs, until the other opener got out at 49 in 8 overs. But that's about it. Because then our Captain, wearing jersey number 17, his mother's date of birth, stood unbeaten at 96 and he along with third player managed to bring India to its victory in 17 overs. He managed to back the man of the match in this game, with is top notch performance.

Now that a lot of above sentences are spoken with the title of Captain, let's know something more about him, before he is off to his post match interview.

He is Karan Shergill. The man is just a year away from hitting his thirties. But his looks doesn't say so, for he is an extremely fit player and too smart and charming for the hearts of a million. He started playing cricket from the age of 11 and needless to say, he fell in love with the sport. He played in u-15, u-17, u-19, Ranji Trophy, playing for CSK in IPL, before finally making his permanent place in Indian Cricket Team. He had the innate dedication and hard work in him, thanks to his father who served in Indian Army. He had worked hard for the place is in today. Well, mostly because along with raising the standard of his game, he has completed his graduation and masters in commerce.

He was bestowed with the responsibility of Captaincy on his shoulders just two years back at the age of 27 and he never failed to make people believe that this is not a wrong decision. Of course, even he had his share of losses but they experienced them after the complete team effort. This team effort and team spirit somewhere highlights the team, his team that simply cannot be weaved in the yarn of words. Also, because he has his best friend in the same team too, with whom he has tasted unparalleled success and chunks of failure.

Now let's come back to the man, who is making a beeline towards where the post match interview is supposed to be given.

As he was walking, a wide grin can be seen on his face. He gets seated on the chair with the table having a few microphones placed.

"Hey guys! Shoot, what you want to ask." Karan said with a smile keeping his palms freely joined on the table.

"Firstly congratulations on winning the series. Karan sir, how was it, captaining your 30th T-20 match and winning it?" Asked the first reporter.

"Well, as you all must be able to see it on my face and the little changing room dance that was showcased on the big screen said it all. It was amazing. And my family coming over for this one made it all the more special. Moreover, I might be the captain, but it was combined effort of the entire team and their required inputs that allowed us on the road of success." Karan answered, highlighting the highlights.

"Sir, you were just 4 runs away from your century, how does it feel?" Asked another journalist.

"I would say that the big win has sufficed it. No doubt those 4 runs will be missed but what we cannot miss is what we have in front us. So yeah." Karan politely replied and shrugged his shoulder at the end.

After a few more questions from Karan and few from some top performers of the playing 11, the team was finally ready to celebrate in their own way, in a not so decent way with some junk food, blaring music and some champagne. And the boys were allowed to do so, well only for this night because from the next morning they have to again sweat their ass off in the gym until the next and the last series that will start from 3 days after Diwali. Well it the New Zealand tour and will last until the entire one month.

The moment everyone was inside the dining room of the hotel they were staying on, loud hooting and some typical Punjabi Songs could be heard in the corridor. And this continued until the early hours of morning. Indeed Karan was the part of the mad gang too, but he had good control over himself since he never indulge himself in more than 2-3 drinks, for he cannot handle more.

In the morning, the team departed to Mumbai for some last minute formalities and they were welcomed with the happy faces and excited roars of the public. While on their way to the BCCI headquarters, Karan and Faizi were seated together in the third row of the bus, engaged in some light conversation.

"Toh janab, yahaan se sidha Udaipur nikloge tum? Iss baar Diwali sabke saath manaoge finally." Faizi asked his best buddy.

(So Mister, you'll leave directly for Udaipur. Finally, you'll celebrate Diwali with everyone.)

"Haan yaar. Kitne time ke baad apne sheher mei thoda waqt apno ke sath bitaunga." A tiring yet calm smile tugged at Karan's lips. He then looked at Faizi and said, "Oye sunn, tu, ammi aur Koel aajao na Diwali pe ghar he. Isi bahane mai ammi se bhi mil lunga aur tu bhi sabse mil lega. Koel ko bhi accha lagega."

(Yes, bro. Finally after a long time, I'll spend some time with my closed one's. Hey listen, why don't you along with Ammi and Koel come at our place for Diwali? This way Ammi and even you'll be able to meet everyone. And Koel will feel good too.)

Yes, Karan calls Faizi's mother as ammi because it was a habit he developed in childhood, when he used to visit Faizi almost everyday after they began playing together. It had been only 4 years since Faizi left Udaipur and shifted to Mumbai so that he does not have to juggle for more time between Mumbai and Udaipur. And also because Mumbai was more convenient for him in a lot of other ways and now it was a plus point since Koel was from Mumbai, too.

Faizi was caught slightly off guard, "Karan yeh kya keh rahe ho? Humara matlab hai ki tum itne time baad sabe miloge toh zaahir si baat hai na ki unko bhi sirf tumhare saath time spend karna hoga, aise mei hum teeno he agar aa gaye toh..."

(Karan what are you saying? I mean that you will be meeting everyone after long and it's obvious that everyone would want to spend some time with you and if we three come then..)

He was interrupted in middle by Karan who was sitting with a disinterested face while listening to the baseless blabbering of his best friend.

"Ho gaya tera? Karli saari bakwas?" Karan asked making Faizi narrow his eyes at the former's words. Giving no attention to his best friend, Karan continued, "Ab sunn, papa ne order diya hai ki aur sab jane is baar Diwali hum sabke saath celebrate karoge. Aur vaise bhi Koel ki shaadi ke baad pehli Diwali hai, sab ikatthey manayenge toh bohot maza aayega. Mai toh tujhe yahi se saath le jaata, lekin tu bhi kuch din sabke saath bita and then come to Udaipur on the day before Diwali. Oh by the way tickets already booked hai tum sab ki."

(Done with uttering all the nonsense? Now listen, these are the orders of Papa that you all will be celebrating Diwali with us. Moreover it'll be first Diwali of koel after marriage so it will be more fun with everyone together. I would have dragged you from here only but even you need to spend some quality time there. Oh by the way all your tickets are booked.)

"Jab sab already decided he thha toh pehle he bata dete." Faizi glared at Karan at first and then smiled with a sigh while saying, "Please Bhabhi ko kehna humare liye Dal Baati zaroor banaye."

(When everything was pre-decided, you could have told me earlier only.) (Please ask bhabhi to make some Dal Baati for me.)

"Kitna khaayega aur failega saand? Anyway, then prepare yourself for some extra hours in the gym." Karan mocked and ordered Faizi.

(How much more do want to eat and get fat, you Ox?)

"Haan haan karlenge. Chalo ab office aagaya hai." Faizi said.

(Yeah yeah, will do. Now let's go, we've reached.)

After the necessary formalities, they all left to the places they were supposed to.

Now let's see how this visit will turn out for certain Mr Shergill who was although a little bit tired but nonetheless, filled with infectious excitement to meet and spend some time with his people.

|~|~|~|~|

So this was a little insight into Karan's character. The next chapter will see his arrival in Udaipur.

I hope you guys are liking the story.

Vote and comment.

Much Love,
Nehal.