NOT OUT!

December 28th! In another month, Nalin would turn 23. The District Level Cricket match was scheduled for 28th, and for Nalin, it was a “Do or Die” game. If he did not make it, he could not qualify for playing the game at higher levels as he would be age-barred. Since he was a boy, he had evinced keen interest in the game but had to content himself with playing gully cricket  and that too with a tennis ball.

Having no Godfather nor parents who would support him, his was a lone battle for a coveted place in the Ranji Trophy team for East Zone. His father who was a mill worker, also kept accounts for their family doctor and would come home late in the night when everyone save his mother would have gone to bed. He was engrossed in his own work that he came home exhausted and would have his dinner and go to bed. However, he would very diligently speak to his mother, seek her blessings and then retire for the night. When he awoke the next morning, Nalin would have already left home for net practice and it was very rare that father and son met, so much so that he did not even know in which class Nalin was studying. Since his progress report showed good marks, Nalin’s mother would sign it. His father therefore, took it for granted that his son was doing well in his studies.

Mother was busy with her own household chores and looking after the tailoring shop that she was running. The income of both parents was sufficient for them to lead a comfortable, but not a luxurious life. Daadi, was the only person in the household who would listen to him patiently and encourage him in whatever he wished to do.

Nalin had played very well in all the Under 13, Under 19 matches up to the District level, but somehow luck eluded him. When all looked as if he would get selected for the Ranji Trophy events, the Selectors would choose someone else, so much so that he could not even find his name in the final fourteen.

It was a Saturday and as it was a break for Christmas, his college mates were already at the ground, waiting to cheer him. Each one of his friends had prayed to their family deities and hoped that their buddy would be lucky this time at least. Nalin left the house, after prostrating before his Daadi, asking her to specially pray for his success.

She came up to the gate to see him off and went and sat on the verandah with her japamala, wishing that her grandson would achieve his heart’s desire. She did not know much about the game, nor whether Nalin was a batsman or a bowler – she only knew that he excelled in the game but was unlucky to rise to great heights and savour success.  

 

Two neighbouring Districts were clashing for the trophy, but the Trophy did not matter – it was the selection which most players had set their eyes on. Nalin’s side had won the toss and elected to bat. The opponents were a strong team and bundled them out for a paltry 136. Nalin’s individual score was the highest at 35, though he was just a tail-ender.

Being one of the opening bowlers, Nalin looked expectantly at the captain, hoping he would get a chance to prove his mettle. At the start of every over, his heart pounded, only to be disappointed when the ball was handed over to someone else.

Nalin patiently waited. He remembered his daadi’s words, “do not worry over what you do not have control of. Discharge your duty to the best of your ability and also be truthful to yourself”. He was keen no doubt, but controlled his emotions. The opponents were scoring merrily off each ball and there had been a large number of wides too that were bowled. It was only after ten overs, when not a single wicket had been taken while the batsmen had piled up 128 runs, did the captain turn around to give the ball to Nalin.

In his excitement, Nalin’s first ball went for a six and not only that, it was adjudged a “no ball”. The batsman was just one run short of 50 and was all set to score it in the next ball of Nalin. Unlucky for him, the next delivery was a yorker, which earned Nalin the first wicket for his team. Once the breakthrough came, his team regained their morale, and collectively put up a good show restricting their innings to 198. Nalin had three wickets for 25 runs and also had four catches to his credit. 

In the second innings too, there was a lack lustre display of batsmanship, but somehow they managed to hoist a score of 226, leaving the opponent with a target of 165 to win the match. They started off well, not losing a single wicket till 78 was posted on the board. The ball was then handed over to Nalin, who did not disappoint and took two quick wickets.

The new batsmen in played with grit and determination, taking the total to 134. Five more wickets had fallen, but the opponents had to make only 35 runs to win the match. There was still one recognised batsman and was ably supported by a tail-ender.

Once again Nalin was in charge of the attack and though he bowled a maiden over, the next over was a very fruitful one for the opponents as four balls were hit for a six. The runs needed narrowed down to a mere 11. Nalin was expected to bowl the next over, but there was a bowling change which saw the fall of two more wickets. The batsmen had taken a couple of singles, narrowing the runs required to 9.

Nalin was asked to bowl again. The first ball itself was hit for a six. Nalin tried to compose himself. Three runs were all that they needed to be on top. Pensively he went to the bowling crease. As he stepped out to bowl the next ball, he noticed that the batsman at the non-striker’s end was away from the crease. Nalin had already completed his run up to the wicket, and was just about to deliver, when he noticed that the non-playing batsman was not at the crease and stopped dead in his tracks, signalled to the batsman that he could merely remove the bails and get him out. He went again to his bowling run and this time the batsman hit a return catch which Nalin dived and took. 

The umpire’s figure went up to signal him “OUT”. There was great cheering from the crowd that Nalin’s team had won the match. The batsman had started walking back to the pavilion, when Nalin tugged at his sleeve and walked up to the umpire and confessed that the ball had been picked from the ground and that it was not “caught”. Hearing this, the umpire reversed his decision to “not out” and recalled the batsman.

There was a huge hue and cry. Needless to say, with his new lease of life, the batsman went on to hit a boundary and won the match for his team.

Though Nalin won the wrath of his teammates, he went home with a clear conscience. The writing was now on the wall. With this kind of a performance, he could not dream to seek a place in the Ranji team. He was undoubtedly disappointed, but was not crestfallen. He was proud that he did not yield to temptation. Had he kept quiet at the umpire’s decision, they would have surely won the match, but he knew that though there were no cameras to record the proceedings, his inner self would not allow him to be silent at the wrong decision.

Daadi was waiting at home to hear of the day’s happenings. She asked him about the outcome of the match and was told the day’s happenings. “Don’t worry beta! You have done the right thing. I am proud of you!”

Two days had gone by. The television was blaring the news. Nalin was as usual, tinkering with some machines when he heard his name being mentioned. Daadi too had heard his name and started calling out to him, “jaldi aao beta – jaldi aao – tumhara naam le rahe hain. Suno to sahi, yeh kya keh rahe hain”

 

Nalin could not believe his ears. By the time he came, one of the selectors was being interviewed. When asked why Nalin was chosen over another promising player, the Selector quipped - “all of us were impressed by his sportsmanship. First, he could have easily removed the bails and sent the non-striking batsman to the pavilion for being out of his crease, but he did not do so. In the second instance, he need not have confessed that the ball had touched the ground and hence in effect, was not taken. Both these instances would have surely led his team to victory. Anyone can play a game, but it is the manner in which the game is played in the right spirit is all that matters”.

 Daadi could not understand a word of what was spoken, but she was proud and happy for her dear Nalin, to whom FAIRNESS in the game was more important than winning. She hugged him close as he snuggled closer to be fondled.