stumped at chinnaswamy

Life really is a never ending learning experience. I must have been 14 when i last went to a cricket stadium to see a match, its taken me as much time to become capable of appreciating the same. Then i had been foolish enough to conjure up an almost definitive opinion about the futility of such endeavors. It is reassuring to see opinions alter.

It was one hell of a crazy ride from leaving office to reaching the stands. It wasn't a packed house so we managed to get decent seats. Mesmerizing, that is what it was. Bathed in ethereal light the stadium was mantramughd-able, with the players clearly visible dressed in their sharp attire etching out the frame. The lens' limitation became so dramatically apparent, it would not be an exaggeration to say that poor cousin television shows us no more that a quarter of the actual match. There is a magic about the arena; teeming with spectators witnessing the spectacle of man in contest - little wonder the Romans took their sport and stadia so seriously!

The sound of the willow striking the leather, piercing through the din of cheers is etched in memory. The middle of the bat has the power to produce miracles.

A little note of concern: The authorities should make such events more spectator friendly, especially a concept like IPL, whose success rests upon involving the aam aadmi. If these stadiums were to invest in infrastructure, creating more comfortable seatings with well laid out aisles and walking bays coupled with good f&b services, i am certain they would make much more money. If airports can be privatized, stadiums most certainly should. However hats off to the junta who had come, it was one of the most well behaved and fun loving crowd i have ever seen - parents with little children, newly weds hand in hand, old couples dancing, a spirted group of sardars supporting Punjab in full gusto and a bunch foreigners figuring out cricket; what a delight it was to see such an assortment.

My two cents worth on IPL: With the way the teams are progressing the deciding factor for clinching this tournament is leadership. Never before has the role of the captain assumed such significance, with such a motley bunch of players nothing matters more. It is evident too, the teams leading right now have the most articulate and assertive leaders, Warne is doing a terrific job with his boys while Yuvi and Dhoni are marshalling well. The Mumbai team is really lucky as Bhajji's departure has resulted in Pollock assuming the reins and handling his bunch with great discipline. I guess it is now a wake up time for Dada, Laxman and Viru, lest the royals steal the cup away!