Chota Cricket

It's not the World's most popular sport and it's not the regular came of cricket either. But for an Indian kid it's a game of emotions, a game in which no one was left out, a game in which even bad players were appreciated and allowed to know how it feels to be a sportsman. It's CHOTA CRICKET. 11 yards, no swinging of the arms, one tip one hand and No fast bowling please!! Rules which have no literature but just the great Indian tradition defining them. You remember every moment of the game played with your siblings in your back yard, every single ball that your Dad may have bowled to you. And Ya, those Indian kids who played such miserable cricket that they were never allowed to play and had to take options like football, basket ball etc. (Not being derogatory to any of these sports but in India kids who couldn't play cricket choose these sports) to redeem their self respect, also get a chance to see how the game is played. I am a slip disk patient but I can still play Chota Cricket. It is something that has sparked happiness in my life. A feeling that I can play some sport again and physically compete with people and teams and not be scared of any major repercussions is like living life again. And for this I am thankful to my friends, who did not ask me any questions. When they knew I couldn't bend and stop the ball initially they never asked me to do so. Some couldn’t bowl, some couldn't bat and in fact they still can't even then no questions asked. Because we believe that sport is not only made for the skilled but also for those who aspire to be a part of the game sitting besides the fence. In front of Block 29 every day without fail 24 boys play this game, accept each other with all our infirmities and enjoy as if there were no tomorrow. We play Chota Cricket-the game of friendship.