Jam Packed

Imagine you are on a corporation playground on a festive weekend where there are about 20 - 25 cricket matches being played where there are energetic little boys from 10 years onwards to the huffing and puffing 40 year olds...this is as close to getting slammed smack in the middle of a T.Nagar traffic jam. I'd doubt if you can make through this mess, finding your ways out to a peaceful exit. Welcome to Chennai's own cricket mania on a weekend - worse than a traffic jam or a festive shopping season (debatable though). I do not aim to defy any city's passion for the game especially competing on the number of matches per ground - this is just to give a perspective on Chennai's craze for the game...

Firstly, the craze in Chennai is about the street cricket scene where we play with the tennis ball...to be honest...this is more tough and competitive than the professionals can handle...(that was a little blatant...) and since we all cannot afford the gear, we take up to this weapon of choice on which theres even a movie made as a tribute to those who have donned the streets of Chennai. Now, each corporation ground has a lot of other sports facilities in place, but this doesnt stop some of us from assuming every post and pole as the wicket and any straight patch of land which is barren enough to be called a pitch...now you can imagine...masters of economy in space...

The funny part come right in the morning where we have to literally invade in order to book the pitch and scout for your rivals around. Next would be set the boundaries which invariably keeps getting moved around because most of them are moving objects...including huge block of stones which invariably get used as wickets for a lot of the deprived...after everything is set and all ready to start...we have multiple matches running into their starts and ends...all of this is as early as 5.30am to 6am...

Match begins in all the frenzy and all the hue and cry...foul umpire calls, crazy ass fielding, big hits, flying wickets, fast bowling, cracking jokes, master local sledging, field setting, drop catches, wandering cattle and the stray dogs, one off audience and last minute inclusions. At this moment...there are at least 300 people packed in this ground and it is impossible to spot your game ball and the respective fielders...this is now the act of camouflage and its guerilla warfare time. Being a fielder is funny now...distractions in plenty...you have no clue who might be appealing and going for the run...at times...watching other matches are just as nail biting and worth watchin than fielding for a match thats almost a goner...here is where the ball slips past our sight and heads towards a boundary...incoming abusive moments follow as well...bumping into many of the players in the field and then theres something that hits us...the game ball...both doubt where it belongs or where it comes from...sometimes we get hold of the wrong game ball which might be heading towards the boundary and throw it to our boys...one good reason to start a fight...as we know...the Chennai crowd is educated and a quite a sport...but when its fight-time...theres no mercy...

Win or lose...at the end of the day, in all the mayhem, having fun is the ultimate objective. The ultimate moment in such a field is the organized chaos that surround us and in that whirl, makes us forget our woes and worries...no wonder even married men and boys with arrears tread these grounds...this part of the planet for many of us, is the holy ground where every moment is festive where the spirit of the game is alive and roaming in all the madness...this is life...

Ever wondered how this is more chaotic than the traffic zones in Chennai but still destined to generate more fun...pay a visit to these abodes and youll know for sure...if you can survive without being bumped by another or bumping into another...youve certainly won your ground and gained your way to peace and well being...on and off the roads.