Cricket is Life

This is not one of those blogs where one explains how important a role cricket plays in the life of an average Indian and how crazy he is about the sport. This is about an analogy drawn between the game of Cricket and a person's life that I happened to hear in a recent speech given by an eminent orator and it really interested me. I 'm putting it in writing for two reasons: First, I would like to share it with those who haven't yet heard it. Second, I would like to remember it when I come back to my blogs in the future.

If one observes the game of cricket closely, one is sure to notice the subtle similarities it holds with a person's life. Everyone in this world is striving to become successful, just like a batsman is trying to score well in his innings.

1. The bowler is delivering a ball to the batsman, who is trying to hit it with his bat and try to score runs. As simple as that. But why are there ten other people in the field trying to stop him from scoring. Whenever we try to become successful, there are at least ten people trying to stop you from doing it.

2. Forget about the ten people. Why are there ten thousand people watching you play? They shout if you hit a six, they shout if you hit a four and they shout if you become out. Whenever we try to do something in life, the society is full of people who really don't care if you succeed or fail but are always there to criticize or advice you for your every action. Just like a batsman ignores the crowd while playing, so should you in life.

3. It doesn't always need those ten people to get you out, in cricket. Sometimes, the partner with whom you are playing, runs to your side when you least expect it and in a panic you don't know what's happening and you get run out. Similarly, it doesn't always require your enemies to defeat you in life. Your close allies can also be responsible for your downfall. There are also those "Kudave irundhu kuzhi parikkaravanga."


4. Does the bowler deliver every ball to you with the intention of making you score? Definitely he is trying to get you out with every ball he bowls. We must succeed in our life by utilizing all the efforts that the world takes to bring you down. In other words, we must use the attempts to make us fail, as the stepping stones for our success.

5. Last but not the least, when the opposing team shouts "Howzaaaat?" and the whole crowd is on its foot shouting with maximum volume almost threatening the umpire to give an out. The umpire lifts two fingers and says "Not Out", everyone in the stadium shut their mouth and sit back. However strong is the voice of Adharma, a meek signal from Dharma is what prevails in the end. Everything else gets defeated at that very moment. There will always be moments in life when you "think" you are defeated unfairly, but always have hope on justice and yourself.

There are many such aspects where Cricket and life are alike. These are some that I remembered.