By As an Indian I lived to love cricket as my passion. Coming from a middle class family playing cricket was never considered as a carrier choice back in my growing years. Having led the ordinary life an extraordinary way I landed in Tokyo as a SAP consultant. First few months were literally hard in this country but then came in my life my savior cricket. Men In Blue is the Team I became a part of which was East region champion in Japan cup 2016.
My journey started with MIB and I was enthusiastic to live my passion. It was exciting for me as the newest member of the Team getting to play for Japan cup 2016 so soon. But luck is not always on your side. Japan cup was on and I had just played my first match when I was hitched. Yes I had to visit India since I was getting married. It was a mixed feeling for me happy to be with my soulmate but missing the tournament was heavy on my mind.
Season changed, we had been playing great in the entire season and now again on the doorstep was Japan cup 2017. I was more than thrilled to play the tournament. We battled through great Teams in the East Kanto and finally were winners of the region. Team was performing to the best and fortunately I was leading in the bowling department. Yes it was quite satisfying to see myself on top of the bowling chart for East kanto.
The entire Team was pumped to reach Sano and have scintillating matches between all the four region winners on 7th, 8th and 9th Oct 2017. But as said before life cannot be a bed of roses, thorns find their way in. Yes, you got it right 8th was Karwa chauth(Indian festival in which wife fasts for husbands good health and long life). Due to transportation constraints, families were not travelling to the location. Now here lies the catch, it was my wife’s first karwa chauth and I was leaving her back which was quite risky for my being. It took a lot of effort and off course pleading to convince her and she agreed. God tries to test you all the time, 5th and 6th October Tokyo was completely drenched in rain but guys technology is what all of us invest in for living. Weather forecast was clean for 7th, 8th and 9th. With confidence and enthusiasm touching the sky the entire Team reached the venue.
MIB was playing its first match in the JC finals against Samurai Team. Though we had put up a tough fight Samurai had beaten us in the first game.
It was do or die situation for us in the second match against the University Boys Team on ground 3. Match like a Bollywood masala movie we were facing all odds. University Boys Team were reluctant to play on ground 3 as rain had harshly affected the pitch and ground. MIB was not ready to loss without a fight. Next 2 hours each member of MIB was seen soaking up the moist on the pitch with sponge, dry grass, sand and what not.
JCA Community Cricket Manager Mr.Dhugal Bedingfield did walk down to lend a helping hand so that the game of cricket continues.
Finally efforts had turned the game on. It was an 11 over match and MIB was successful in making an easy win against the University Boys. Though the day was tiring coz of the excessive efforts but it was satisfying too.
As the day had ended on a high the entire Team was relaxing in Onsen. I must agree it was quiet soothing post the tiresome day.We all did head towards the JCA meet that was exclusively arranged for all the participating Teams.
MIB captain Mr. Gurdeep was asked to name the star performer of his Team. In response to which he did convey his message straight forward that the Team does not have a single star performer. It is his Team that performs to make it a win.
All Teams had great time at the meet and did head towards their stay arrangements. As soon as we reached the log house where we had our reservations to stay everyone was down on the beds within minutes. Everyone was fast asleep and snores had started putting up a musical night.It was early morning of day 2 that had given the Team member’s time to gel up over breakfast. It was rare to see men who usually don’t try to work at home made breakfast and tea for entire Team.
With a great morning start everyone was ready to move to the ground and face one of the strongest Team in the tournament “Nagoya CC”.
It is a Team well known for its power hitters and MIB is well known for its great bowling attack. It was going to be a literal contest of batting and bowling. Nagoya was batting first and did live upto its reputation of great batting.It was a huge score of 200 odd runs that MIB had to chase down. This is the highest score that was set to be chased in a JC finals. This is when MIB had to display its strength and character in the department of batting. To god’s grace each batsman gave his best and we were chasing down well. Superstition started playing its game on Team MIB. No one in the Team was allowed to change even their posture, as you never know what may change the face of the game. It was a high intensity last ball match where MIB needed 2 of the last ball and Hitesh completed the job for the Team. Words that Mr.Gurudeep had said in the JCA meeting last night were literally proved true in the Team’s performance. Celebrations had begun and each one was enjoying the moment. I must confess it was a great contest so the pleasure in winning it was all the more. This victory did boast the moral of the Team drastically.
Happiness and excitement both showed its colors when the Team was back to the Log house where we were staying. Barbeque, dance and strategy discussion covered up the night.
Day 3 was here, MIB was ready for its first semi-final against “AQCC”.
We bowled a very good spell and were successful in restricting the opponents to a decent total. Though the moral was high but situation had got better of us and we were unable to replicate our previous performance. We lost the match and were out the tournament.
After having played brilliantly the entire season and losing in the semi-finals was quite disheartening but we had a lot of positives to take from this season. For more details
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That”s the end of my Japan cup 2017 journey .
Vikash Ranjan
Men In Blue
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