Love On 22 Yards

By Anant Kajaria

Cricket has given me happiness, anxiety, love, anger, ecstasy, tears, smiles, relief, sleepless nights, highs and lows… sometimes all at the same time. I love this game, and I don’t know if there will ever be something, or for that matter even someone, that will be able to take this away from me. After all it’s not just a sport, it’s a way of life! And here’s my ode to this wonderful game.

Those who don’t have a clue

Think it’s just a game,

I speak for millions, that without it

Things would’ve never been the same.

Life is played on those 22 yards

A battle within one self is fought,

The bitter sweetness of success

Nothing else could’ve better taught.

As the leather hits the willow

Only a true lover will feel the sound,

All of life’s worries seem to disappear

Once I take my place on the ground.

The white flannels, the red cherry,

The green grass, the turf rolled,

The tap of the bat on the wicket

Amongst all this, I’ve found my God.

The game’s given me life’s greatest lesson

You may win or lose but you never fail,

Cricket is my life forever

And the rest, just mere details.

By Anant Kajaria