An Incredible journey - Part-2 by Gopal Pednekar

5 mins to toss.. "Roaring crowds, beautiful chicks all around.. the tricolor on their face was a means of dragging attention than patriotism".. Had  a long walk around my stand to have a feel of enthusiasm of the flock of people around.. . I caught up a seat near the camera person so as to drag his attention towards me.. bt another mistake which i later realized-one needs to be flanking around pretty girls to have atleast half of ur face on camera..
Aus won the toss and elected to bat.. Slight depressed with the toss coz I was expecting India to bat as everyone in stands. My other 4 frnds missing outside were playing back off my mind.. Begin my search, by having a walk through the lower most passage by having a go through  a full round of my stand which was approx 500m long.. But was not able to find them, wondering y they r not searching me.. I thought to get on to the seat before anyone catches it. But unfortunately, the seat was captured by some fellow gentlemen.  I saw last row vacant and decided to grab it before it gets full.
First ball of the match, crowd screaming all around "India India".. I too joined the chorus n was really missing my friends.. The biggest mistake we didnt decided where to meet for lost and found. I was very optimistically searching them between every five overs upto  Bowling side powerplay. But i need to accept the fact that searching from the whole bunch of around 10000 people was real big challenge. I was wondering and thinking that I m poor guy alone and they 4 must be enjoying together.
After the end of 20th over I was feeling hungry, went outside to have something to eat.. It was the costliest day of my life with mmineral water costing 8 times more than its rated MRP. Had a Pattice and Pepsi and water at a price equivalent to meal in 5 star hotel :).
The game was nicely building up. The biggest cheer came from the crowd when Sachin came into action (to bowl).. I think Dhoni realized the fact that Amdavadis wants Sachin da in action.. so he asked him to bowl.. "No wicket , but still standing ovation. Now thats how we differentiate him from other cricketers n cent percent he deserves that".
Austraila scored 260,  I was quiet happy with the total as 261 was quiet gettable.. In break I went outside to have another bottle of water. There was so much rush at the counter that i thought, remaining thirsty is better than fighting a battle.
I was walking towards my seat n suddenly a voice echoed my ears. "Gopal". The vocal noice resembles one of my frnd Ritesh.. N finally he finds me..
Thank God, Guruji Rabdi Sou I was lonely person in the crowd . Finally I will enjoy rest of the match with my friends. I was so much glad to see him.

I asked Ritesh about our other friends, he said he is watching match only with Tushar.. That means Pankaj and Suvendo still missing.. But I was happy about the fact that atleast for Indias inning I wont be cheering with fellow strangers. I got a seat next to Tushar and Ritesh. Tushar was not feeling well and was planning to leave after 15 overs. I and Ritesh thought of leaving him upto gate but realized it wont be a good luck for India.. Ritesh is quiet superstitious, but no idea y i didnt go.. God knows better :).
"God with his shastra in hand.. I witnessed Sachin da scoring his 18000 Runs in ODI". Enjoyed each and every moment of the match. Dancing and hooting n whistles and booing Ausies..
With all the team effort, India won the match..All those exertions what we had done in Part -I seems to have paid off..
With lotz of wonderful memories in mind we left stadium.. It was full jam pack outside Gate, but not as much as when we entered. Called Tushar from local booth who left us early. Decided to come to a common place where we all met at about 11.00pm.. Everyone was sharing his bit of experience and all were thinking that other 4 r enjoying as each one of us watched match alone in first half except tushar and Ritesh..
I was feeling tired and restless but still energised enough to drive home.. Happily reached home and took dinner at our home town Mehsana.

Those are few memories that wont vannish from my mind forever.


"One of the reason why I am proud of being an Indian - Sachin Tendulkar is an Indian"