As a mother of two adolescent boys, I am reliving my own growing up years. I clearly remember during my own teenage, I got hooked on to cricket. It had less to do with the nitty gritties of the game and more due to the arrival of the latest chic on the block, who swiftly became the heart throb of thousands of young girls like me. I am talking about the suave Rahul Dravid. My interest in cricket deepened due to him and simultaneously his posters adorned the walls of my room.
As the years passed, Dravid went ahead, got married and had two sons. So did I. But the place that he and cricket occupied in my heart, both remain there for eternity.
Cricket is always followed in India like a religion. In our days, we used to fervently watch ODIs and the Test matches had their own unique charm. Daily scores and new records were checked and cricketers followed with zeal.
While my children were still very young, came a brand new, exhilarating form of cricket called IPL. The Indian Premier League never got us ‘boomers’ attracted and on the contrary, the idea of players not playing for their country but for a team (which may change every year) was appalling. The players being ‘auctioned’ and ‘bought’ was befuddling and seemed ‘unethical’. But it was loved by my children! As ardent followers of cricket, they lapped up to the concept of IPL. They not only watch all the matches every season (sometimes even two in a day!) but also the auctions of the cricketers. Heated discussions are held among both of them on the abilities and the rates of each player.
Then there is another interesting facet of this tournament i.e., you can belong to any State and support any other. Just as the players may belong to any State or country and play for any team, which chooses to buy them. This lack of sense of belongingness baffles me. But my children are unbothered and completely crazy about their own team i.e. RCB. That we have never lived in Bengaluru or have any connection with the city has nothing to do with their adulation. That RCB has never won an IPL during the last 14 seasons has not dampened their spirits. I have always been very inquisitive about their love for RCB and what could be the possible reasons behind it. I assumed that it stemmed out of their liking for Virat Kohli, but even when he left captaincy, they continue to support the team.
The greatest desire that they both carry in their heart is to see RCB lift the trophy. As a helpless but doting mother, I also have started wishing a for RCB winning. Whenever there is an RCB match, I keep my fingers crossed and silently pray for it to win so that the peace of our household remains intact.
The oldies may associate IPL with money, but the entertainment and zing that it brings along with it is incomparable. My children also give me serious gyaan on how talent is found and groomed in IPL and how retired players continue to play in it. It is the most popular cricket league in the world which gives employment to so many people. I cannot argue on all these points and concede defeat and continue to support RCB with aplomb!
