The Man Of The Match

The two captains are on the field and the coin is spun by the umpire.

“Heads” calls Manish.

And heads it is. So New Model school 11 wins the toss and a huge roar of applause rises among the spectators at the stadium.

“Would you like to bat or bowl first?” asks the Umpire.

“Bat,” says Manish emphatically.

Manish and his team are ecstatic. Their schoolmates have come to the ground and want to soak in the atmosphere and cheer their team to a victory in the Inter school competition. Commentary had been arranged for the matches, and this is the all-important Final between New Model School and Glorious Heights school.

The match begins. Kevin is running in with the ball and bowls a full-length ball. Rohit watches carefully and lifts it over the mid-off fielder.

“Rohit has lifted the first ball of the match,” the commentator’s shrill voice screams over the ground. “Will it be caught? Ajay is running to catch it, but no, he can’t! It crosses the ropes. It’s a six!”

The boys are beside themselves with joy. The match goes on. The openers, Rohit and Naresh, both lose their wickets cheaply within the first five overs. The score is now with 40-2 with Rahul and Manish at the crease. They steady the innings somewhat before Rahul misjudges a yorker and pulls the ball on to his stumps. The score is now 98 for the loss of 3 wickets.

The boys fall silent. ‘Will their school be able to reach a good challenging score or is it a goner?’

Manish is now joined by the inimitable Brijesh. Brijesh, known to be powerful yet slightly rash swings his bat at every ball. The flurry of strokes that follow from both the batsmen draws shouts of glee from their supporters. The commentary too adds to the excitement and the entire ground is simmering with joy. Manish gives an exhibition of fine strokes and before long reaches his fifty. He holds his bat high towards the crowd acknowledging their applause. Brijesh follows suit. With his heavy bat, his strokes are a great mix of sixes and fours. The crowd loves it. The noise reaches a crescendo as Manish first and then Brijesh completed their centuries. At the end of 50 overs the score stood at 325 for the loss of 3 wickets.

The players went in for the break. Here the teams and their friends gorged on the vada pavs and samosas which they had ordered for all. They topped it with ice creams and kulfi.

The Glorious Heights 11 came in to bat. They are the tournament favorites and defending champions. Their openers are really good. They are scoring quite freely against Kumar and Ravi.

The cheering boys from the stands are despondent.

“Why are no wickets falling?” said one wringing his hands in despair.

“Why doesn’t Manish bring on the spinners?” commented another.

As if in answer to their comments, with the score at 85 for no loss, came the change in bowling. Parth is brought on and would you believe it! He gets the Glorious Heights captain, Kevin, out first ball.

The boys are really happy. However, the supporters of the opposite team go silent.

Then Krish strikes from the other end. From 85-0 it had become 90-2.

The game is steadied to a certain extent by Harish and Joshi. But then Krish again strikes a blow by getting Josh out. Wickets keep falling after that. With each wicket, a roar from the crowd and the boys erupts. There is a courageous cameo from Benny, who tries his best to score fast. He makes 85 runs and remains not out, but there is no batsman to support him from the other end.

When Krish takes the last wicket, the stadium erupts with the New Model school supporters standing up and waving the Indian flags which they have brought with them. Glorious Heights 11 ended their innings with a score of 285. Kumar takes 2 wickets and Parth takes 2, but the man of the moment was undoubtedly Krish who accounted for the scalp of 5 batsmen.

His friends in the audience could not contain their joy. They cheer and shake hands with each other and run into the ground to lift Krish up in their arms for the victory lap.

The presentation ceremony follows. Krish’s rich haul of 5 wickets for 40 runs fetches him the Man of the Match award. Manish lifts the Inter-School Championship Cup with pride and joy and shares the credit for the victory to the entire team.

The euphoria of the win has just begun.