The disappointment of Virender Sehwag's early dismissal in the morning was quickly forgotten by the members as they saw the stocky frame of CCI's favourite son, Sachin Tendulkar walking out.
The disappointment of Virender Sehwag's early dismissal in the morning was quickly forgotten by the members as they saw the stocky frame of CCI's favourite son, Sachin Tendulkar walking out. The atmosphere was electric goose bumps and awe as members tried to out-shout the crowd sitting in the East and North Stands with little success. Each and every shot by the Master was cheered by the crowd, which was almost to full capacity on the first and second floors of the Pavilion. When one member said, "Paisa vasool, yaar" while admiring Tendulkar's square-cut, he was gently reminded that as a member he had a free entry into the Pavilion. "Arre poore membership ka paisa vasool, boss," (It was worth the money I spent on getting membership) he quipped.
Lunch time had members discussing whether the Master would get a hundred on his "home" ground. "Sau run maarse ke?" (will he score a hundred?) they asked one another while munching Kung Pao Chicken at the Chinaman, the Chinese restaurant at the CCI.
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THE morning at the J N Tata Pavilion of the CCI began with the regulars discussing the impending day's play over their favourite breakfast Akoori on toast and mint tea. The purists spoke about the unbelievable innings played by Sehwag, who had demolished the Lankan bowlers as well as destroyed all their "theories" on the art of batsmanship. "Tansao karine Bradman no record break karse ke?" (Will he score a triple hundred and go beyond Bradman?)u00a0 With his scintillating display the denizens of the Club had adopted the Marauder from Najafgarh who they were now referring to as Aapro (Our boy) Sehwag!
Tuku tuku to slam bang
The dismissals of Tendulkar, Laxman and Yuvraj saw a defensive rearguard action by Dhoni and the tail which prompted a member to say: "Dhoni is playing tuku tuku (slowly), man." The captain soon slammed four huge sixes hitting the first, second and third floor of the Pavilion and one that cleared the ground. "Just like Frank Worrell hit on this ground many years ago," said a nostalgic old member as the runs were flowing in tandem with the heady liquid at the Wet Wicket (the bar).
Heardu00a0at Wet Wicket
Au00a0member at the Wet Wicket remarked that after the Goan Fish Curry on the CCI menu that was named after the late Dilip Sardesai another double centurion at the CCI the club should also introduce Sehwag Jhatka Mutton Keemau00a0 on seeing the way he butchered the hapless Sri Lankan bowlers.
Hemant Kenkre is a former CCI captain, who led Sachin Tendulkar in 1987.
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