The Promising star

Summer camp

    It was during his Summer Camp, where,  Kani learnt about hostel life for the first time in his life. Summer camp was nothing but a short duration camp where students get enrolled themselves in their respective games. The camp was usually organised by the school for sports persons to improvise their specialization at various games and activities and it was planned for a period of 15 days. Kani enrolled himself in cricket games during this camp. 

    Usually, the players get up early morning 5.45 AM in the camp and they take some protein-rich foods and report to the ground. They then go for 3-4 round in the ground. After that they go their respective game activities. In cricket activity, before they begin the day’s practice, the students used to do warm up exercises. The captain will be at the centre of the circle, instructing the players to do a particular exercise. One of the exercises performed at that time is the hip rotation. Many people rotate their hips in a humorous way that looks really funny to watch. After the exercise gets over, the players used to enter into the practice session. The nets session is then carried out. A batsman gets padded up and he will be given four overs to bat and the important thing is that he should not hit the ball in the air and also, he should not lose his wicket on any cost. Four bowlers each having 1 ball will be continuously bowling to get the batsman out. The remaining fielders used to spread out in the fielding in their respective fielding positions. The coach also gives an open challenge for the batsman that if a batsman hits the balls straight towards the stumps near the bowler’s end, he gets a reward for worth Rs. 10. But the bowlers won't bowl in the length which would help the batsman drive away the ball towards the stumps easily. 

    When Kani used to get padded up, he mostly prefers to go with defensive shots and he never plays aggressive shots in nets session. After the practice gets over, the students then pack up the things and roll the cricket mat aside and assemble for warm down. In warm down, they do some light exercises and they used to sit and chat with each other regarding cricket or any other subject they liked. 

    After that they go the mess, to have their breakfast around 9.00 AM. Then, they used to go to the hostel. They then go for a bath in the bathroom. Kani learnt how to put soaps for his clothes only there for the first time. Also, Kani didn’t have any mugs and buckets in his own. His friends readily gave away everything whatever they had before Kani asked them a word. 

    After, the bathing then some students prefer indoor games while other prefer playing outside. Kani mostly used to go basketball court, where they play cricket in tennis ball. It is a challenging game because there will be a greater number of players and the boundary line distance will also be quite longer. In the meanwhile, if they became thirstier, they get ‘Lemon Rasna’, from the tuck shop inside the school campus. It is tastier than many other tasty drinks in the world. The moment they drink it, they used to get enormous amount of energy into their bodies which help them play even better than before. Only a few players used to hit sixes in the game. But Kani can’t hit it as he couldn’t generate that much power with his soft hands. After that, they used to go and have their lunch in the mess. 

    After lunch, mostly, they go with indoor games or else they sleep in their beds. Chess and Business games are the most preferred games in this context. Kani’s friend Ajith was a very good chess player. He would even love to defeat Kani with 2 steps or 3 steps move, by putting check on the opponent King. Though Kani was familiarized with chess game rules beforehand, he wasn't that much good at playing Chess. 

    Business games are easier ones to play. There will be a banker and four players will be playing the game. The banker initially distributes some money evenly to all the four players and he also keeps some money with him for lending them when the players are starving for money. The ownership of lands and properties will be initially in the hands of bankers. The player used to roll the dices and land on different places, which they could buy if no one hadn’t bought so far. The players spend money to buy the lands and properties and those money is paid to the banker. The players could generate income as and when the other player visited his place that he had purchased before. It used to take a long time to finish the game but still it would be quite interesting for them as the game was all about money and business. 

    Around 4 PM in the evening, again the players have their evening sacks and assemble in the ground for their respective games and activities. Kani and his co-players of cricket, after finishing their warm up, gets started up by picking up the cricket mat and placing them at the centre pitch. They then used to hammer the nails at respective positions of the mat and used them draw the popping crease line and wide line with chalks and white powder. Here, two players get padded up and they both will have to bat for four overs. Also, they will be given a target to chase down. If one player gets out, he then has to go to the non-striker’s end and he has only the role of running between the wickets right from that moment.

     Kani used to pad up with Rishi, one of his junior players. Rishi was a talented batsman and an excellent cricketer who used to play authentic cricket shots with proper footwork. His cricketing shots will be a treat to watch for everyone in the dugout. That day, Kani’s cricket coach Mr. Durai asked the batting pair to hit 16 runs in one over. Kani was at the striker’s end while Rishi was at the non-striker’s end. The bowler who was bowling them was Vikram. He was a leg spin bowler. The first ball was dot ball as Kani missed to it. But the next four balls were continuously hit for fours and they both chased down the winning runs successfully. But in the last ball of that over, Kani lost his wicket. This was a special run chase in Kani’s life. 

    Kani was also a fantastic bowler and he never misses out to perform whenever his team needs him the most in taking wickets. The player who used to scare for Kani’s bowling was Senthil. He used to lose his wicket most of the wicket in Kani’s deliveries. Also, whenever Senthil come to bat, Kani gets the chance to bowl for him most of the time. The coach will be standing as the umpire and sometimes, he gets the bat and gives the instruction for students like how to play shots for different balls by asking a bower to bowl a delivery for him. The coach used to bat usually without any abdomen guard and helmet. One day, bowled for the coach. The ball landed exactly on the good length spot and it raised over the coach’s head all of a sudden. The coach trembled for a moment in surprize and from that day onwards, he never came to bat without wearing proper abdomen guard and helmet. Kani’s was not an easy bowler to face for any batsman. This incident could narrate how aggressive he was at the cricket field. 

    One day, Kani had great fight with one of his classmates. They both exchanged words inn scolding each other. This was enjoyed by his colleague named Mahesh. Kani warned Mahesh that not interfere in-between them. But Mahesh didn’t stop his behaviour and he kept on laughing at them. At one point, Kani couldn’t control himself and he gave a tight slap on Mahesh. The guy who was fighting with Kani got totally blank and he speechless, after watching it. In return, Mahesh gave a slap at Kani. It was painful for Kani but he didn’t express his pain outside. 

    During the evening time, Kani was bowling to the same guy, Mahesh. Mahesh got clean bowled in his delivery which gave Kani a great happiness and he expressed his power and anger towards Mahesh with his performance but not simply by hands and words of mouth. After that incident, Mahesh didn’t disturb Kani on any occasion. 

    One day, Kani was playing cricket with his friends during one sports hour. Kani took the wicket in his very first ball by making the batsman get bowled out of his delivery and he was then about to bowl the next delivery. This time, the batsman named Balaji, who came to bat did one interesting thing. He simply covered the stumps with his own body and he thought that the ball can’t hit the stumps by this way. But what really happed was quite different. Kani bowled an in-swing delivery and the ball went rubbing the hips of the batsman and all of the sudden, it hissed the stumps to no one’s surprise. This made the batsman really get confused and all praised Kani for his wonderful spell. Likewise, Kani was a talented bowler as well. 

    Kani had wonderful days in his life time when he was at summer camp. Evening after, they return from the day’s game play, all players who sit under the TV watching IPL (Indian Premier League). It was a cricket league played by different teams of the Indian country and it was really a treat for watching for any cricket fans all over the world. That time, Hayden and Gilchrist were Kani’s favourite players. They used to strike the ball very nice and get plenty of runs in the scoreboard. One of the greatest matches that Kani had ever watched was the match between KXIP (King’s Eleven Punjab) and CSK (Chennai Super Kings). In that match, CSK posted a total of more than 200 runs in 20 overs. Then came KXIP to bat. The Kings eleven player, Valthathy played one of the finest knocks that cricket has ever seen before. He scored 119* (not out) in that match and lead from the front to ensure the team’s victory. Kani was mesmerised on seeing his fantastic innings.

     Days went off. And one day, there was an eating competition was held among the students. The one who eats the greatest number of parotta will be declared as the winner. Kani could only manage eating 3 parottas but his friend, Vikram managed to eat 14 parottas. Vikram won the game by a great margin as no one could manage even eating 10 parottas. All praised Vikram on his win. Likewise, happiness overflowed everywhere during the summer camp. The students even had a chance to go to exhibition (which is called by the name, Porukatchi in Tamil), on one fine night time. In the exhibition, the students used to roam with each other, buy things that they like and also, they raid on Giant wheel and Columbus raids in a group. Also, ‘MAT Music’ was played by their school students on that day, which an absolute treat to watch for every one of them. Kani and his friends enjoyed the whole night thoroughly. 

     One day, Kani and his cricket friends played a football match. Kani knew nothing about football game. But he was the captain of his team in that match. The match was started soon. During the match, they passed the ball to Kani. Kani don’t know what to do with that. He simply went running with the ball in his legs towards his team’s goal post. His friends asked him to pass the ball. But Kani was not ready to pass the ball, as he was feared of the opponents who were roaming here and there, hunting for the ball to put a goal. After revolving around the corner of the ground, the opponent team somehow managed to get the ball from him and they kicked a nice goal. During the match, when Kani was ready to do heading with ball, the opponent player Nivash came flying and gave his foot impression on Kani’s face. Kani got stumbled and he even fallen on the ground. He manged to get up soon and every one cheered up him for his arousal. 

    The very next day, Kani and his team had a cricket match played against Rishi’s team. That was a test match indeed. Kani’s team came to bat first. Kani opened the innings with his partner Adhipan. The very second over of the innings, Kani smashed a superb four on the ‘Mid-on’ direction. That was one of the greatest fours of all time in Kani’s history. Kani was exceptionally playing well in that match. Even the other cricket coach came to play for the opponent side to pick up the wicket of Kani. Though the team was losing wickets on the other side, Kani was standing firmly on one side and he batted for almost 90 deliveries and scored 25 runs out of it. When the day’s play came to an end, the cricket coach announced that the next day Rishi’s team will come to bat, Kani don’t know what to do. He played an unnecessary loft shot and lost his wicket terribly.  The very next day, Rishi’s team came to bat. Rishi played a decent knock and ensured his team to victory with his single-handed batting performance. Though, Kani was defeated in that match, Kani learnt a lot through that game. 

    Soon, the students of the camp had a marathon run from their school to a distance of 10 kms destination. Kani and his friends were eager for that run and they participated in that run in an enthusiastic manner. This was not a competition but just a part of physical education program included with the summer camp. Their school bus also followed them in the part of this journey. 

    At every check point, they had some refreshments and drinks offered from our sports masters, during the due course of the run. After they reached the destination, they spend some quality time over there and after which they started off their way back to the school. 

    During the return journey, some students came by bus while the others continued with their jogging to reach the school. Kani preferred to go by bus. He had his companion Ajith who accompanied with him during the travel. That was not the first time, they both were travelling together. Almost Kani spent his whole school life with Ajith and he was his travel companion, best friend and above all a wonderful person. They both enjoyed the journey towards the school in 8th number bus. The 8th number bus was the bus that they usually used to come and pick up them from their bus stops during their school times. The bus driver is known to them very well. The driver played cine songs in the bus for the students to enjoy their bus raid. The students danced, sang the song that was played inside the bus, and finally, came back to school after having lots of fun and amusements. The day’s activities are still not yet over. 

    Then the students were asked again to run 5 rounds in the ground. The students were fully exhausted out of energy and after that, they assembled in their school auditorium, where they were asked to do some physical exercises. Their last exercise was to open up their hands and legs and keep da body loose in sleeping position. The teacher who was giving these exercises then healed the minds of the students with his positive vibes. The students were able to get positive thoughts out of it. Also, Kani was able to get some spiritual power inside his body. And, at last, the teacher asked every student to get up. All students waked up. But one student, named Santhanam didn’t wake up. He went to deep sleep. And he was waked up his friends nearby. The teacher then appreciated Santhanam by saying that it was only Santhanam who had did all the activities from the morning sincerely and successfully. All students praised Santhanam on getting this honour from the teacher. That same day evening, when the students had their practice session, they felt muscle tightening problems due to the rigorous exercises that they had it in the previous session of the day. 

    After some days, soon Kani and his cricket team had a match between them and a cricket team from some other school. It was the first match that Kani had ever played against a team that comes under different premises i.e. playing against opponents from outside. Kani was eagerly waiting for that match. Because this should have happened a few months back. 

    A few months ago, Kani went to Trichy for playing a match against a team over there. Kani was accompanied by his classmate and co-player named Hardik Agarwal. Hardik had his own bat and cricket kits but Kani didn’t have of these. His only belongings were his white and white clothes and his abdomen guard. Kani and other players stayed at hotel. It was the first time Kani experienced these kinds luxuries in his life. He got to feel amazed in watching the TVs inside the room and he really enjoyed the night stay at the hotel. He stayed in a room with his seniors accompanying him. One of the seniors bought cellular keypad type mobile phones there. This was noticed by the coach and he immediately seized the mobile from him. He was very strict when it comes to discipline. The players were not allowed to carry their mobile phones with them before the match as per rules and regulations followed in cricket. The senior begged him to give away the phone but the coach denied and he returned the mobile only when they departed from Trichy back to their domicile. On the match day, Kani was put as a substitute in that match and asked to go and sit with the scorer in the process of helping the scorer, in giving away the details of the players to make a note of things in the scoresheet. This was not only a frustration moment for Kani but any cricketer in his life to get rejected in the playing 11. Hardik got the chance for playing but his performance was not good in that match. The team lost terribly, during the Trichy match.

    On the day of match between Kani’s school time and the opponent school team, Kani’s team was elected to bat first. Kani came to bat at number 3 position and he initially stablished himself into the game to capitalize himself and build his innings. While the batsmen at the other end were struggling, Kani played a solid knock for his team. Rishi came to bat at number 6 position. But too didn’t last for a long time. After Rishi’s wicket fallen down, Kani thought to himself that he should play a responsible innings from there and he also got the strike most of the time by playing singles at the last ball of the over. Kani also hammered a beautiful four of a full toss ball in mid-off direction which gave him even more confidence to bat for long innings. It was the last ball of the tenth over. Samuel was at the striker end. Kani gave instruction to Samuel that just to defend that 1 ball and he will take care of the rest of the overs. Also, he added that the next over we shall have drinks break and encouraged him to stay for just 1 ball. But things sometimes won’t go as we expect. Yes! Samuel lost his wicket in the last ball and the ball disappeared to the boundary line by hitting the stumps. Finally, the team posted a total of 55 runs and the opponent team needed 56 runs to win from 20 overs. Kani was 25* in that match. And in the bowling, Kani’s team showed their skills to their maximum extent. Kani picked up a wicket for his name. He made batsman get clean bowled. The match went so crucial at that moment. At one point, no one could predict who was going to win. In the meanwhile, the opponent team came closer in the run chase and they needed only 10 runs more to win the match. The batsman was hitting the ball towards Kani. Kani fielded it and it was an easy chance for a run-out. But Kani threw the ball over the keeper’s head and the batsman survived. This made Kani to get angry on himself. If the team had picked up that wicket at that moment, then surely Kani’s team might have won the game. But things sometimes never go in a way that we decide like how it should be. Fortune favoured the batsman and he managed to turn back to the crease. 

    Finally, the opponent team won the match by 3 wickets with 3 overs to spare. And it was good fight overall. Kani was appreciated for his extraordinary batting performance and on the same day, Kani’s family came to the school and Kani had a good time spent with their family. Kani enjoyed his summer camp days over all. 

    On their last night before the end of the camp, the students had a chance to watch a newly released movie named, ‘Ayaan’ on the TV. The students were very sad, the moment when the last day of the summer camp arrived. They longed if that could extend for even more days. 

    But, in reality, Nothing can be rewritten in the book called Life. Once written, it’s over. Once done can never return! But memories are not life that. They keep on reminding us the past happenings then and there as we walk through various stages in our life. Good memories always keep our minds refreshed with positive thoughts and sweet remembrances. Life is where fortunate and unfortunate things happens in one way or the other. But in the end, there would be chance of hope which helps us to rise up from the failures. We should always have the patience to wait and hope till the end without giving up the fight in-between. Hard work never fails. When the right time comes, we could even fly high and reach the dark sky.