7 years back, when I joined Infosys Bangalore after B.Tech, I was still fit enough to play Cricket. And when an annual Cricket tournament for our business unit- “ENG Premier League” was announced, we thought it to be a brilliant bonding opportunity for us new recruits and the senior bosses. A getaway off the four walls, and a break from the monotony! We brought together our ragtag players from the project team and #B45_Panthers was born.
A quick practice session though, made it quite obvious to that we should aim for having fun at best and not expect much beyond.
In our very first match we were up against a team which played in the fashion as their name suggested- “No Mercy”. We conceded the highest number of runs ever in the EPL, thanks largely to a towering 6’2” giant Paranitharan. The big brute scored 89 runs out of total 108 all by himself. After a few dropped catches, a few slipped away boundaries and 8 overs of thrashing, we were down on our knees with our bruised bodies midway through the match.
But this is where began the recovery process. Rahul and Pratyush, the SRK fanboys, started building up our chase craftily, turning singles into doubles, with a cut here and a pull there. Strokes soon started flowing off the blades. Opposition was getting a bitter taste of their own medicine. In next few overs, we had found our belief back, and sensed an upset on the cards. By the time this destructive duo departed, we had inched closer to the target.
22 runs now needed in the last over. That’s where I entered on strike.
FIRST ball, edged and flew behind wicket keeper for 2 runs.
SECOND ball was at good length, so I just lifted it intuitively straight down the ground. FOUR more.
THIRD ball was thrown rather in anger and frustration, almost a No Ball. Umpire didn’t budge though, much to the chagrin of my camp. I swung at it wildly with eyes almost closed. Hilariously though, the impulsive hook shot took it over the small leg side boundary. It was a SIXXXXX.
10 more needed now in 3 deliveries.
FOURTH ball, turned out to be a Dot Ball. Not that the ball was extraordinary, but because I tried to be sneaky. A silence fell upon my team.
10 runs in 2 balls.
FIFTH ball came as a low Full Toss and I lifted down the ground clearing the fielder by mere inches. It was a SIX. B45-Panthers found their voice again.
4 runs, 1 ball now.
Situations like these are where you see both teams engaging in a long huddle. All kind of advice are thrown towards, both at the bowler and the batsman on strike.
I felt a surge of adrenaline, sweat on my forehead and a spike in my heartbeat. The moment I saw the SIXTH ball on good length, I stepped out again and swung it for a glorious six. Or so I thought.
Unfortunately, it was a deceiving slower ball and I mishit it in the no man’s land. Amit, my partner, woke me up from non-striker end and we sprinted to complete first single. We turned back for an improbable second and there came a wild throw at my end. I put in a brave dive, the one I am proud of even today. I survived that deflected throw, got back up and saw Amit charging for the third despite visibly running out of breath. I set off, as fast as my hurting legs allowed me to, and I ran for my life. The most memorable run of my life (and I am not much fond of running honestly speaking).
This time a sensible throw caught me a few feet short of the third run, we could have tied the match with. We lost. By a run. By One Run!!!
The story doesn’t end here. Next day, we received this fancy email in our mail boxes. As you can see in the image attached, it praises Paranitharan for his scintillating knock. It praises the team “No Mercy”, for making the highest score ever.
Our #B45_Panthers were the second highest run scorers too, logically speaking. Still, no praises for our team.
1 run or a 100 runs, a defeat remains a defeat. Only the Winner is showered with the accolades, hardly ever for 'the also rans'. Always. Without exception.
Bitter fact as it remains, there is a silver lining to this too. The glorious the defeat, greater the lesson. It might not matter much to the rest of the world, but the individual can draw an invaluable inspiration from the personal episode.
I did that. Printed it out. Posted it on my desk.
And carrying it wherever I have gone on in life, even beyond Infosys days. Both- the Printout and the Memory.
Storyteller's Tip:
Find out your glorious moments of defeat. Remember the manner you fought this fight with. This precious memory is the required catalyst, the secret ingredient which will help you Win your next bigger fight.
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