Narrow win adds to Indians’ joy

For many, the idea of a select bunch of some retired cricketers playing the game at an altitude of 11,333 feet in the Alps is almost sure to attract ridicule. But it turned out to be far more intense and interesting than expected. What more, the cricketers can’t have enough of it.

Former West Indian cricketer Alvin Kallicharan (in the foreground) joining an excited bunch of former Indian cricketers, celebrating the Independence Day, in Jungfrau, Switzerland, on Saturday. Photo: Rakesh Rao

It was presumed to be a non-serious affair involving some former cricketers, including greats like Kapil Dev and Alvin Kallicharan.

For many, the idea of a select bunch of some retired cricketers playing the game at an altitude of 11,333 feet in the Alps is almost sure to attract ridicule. The mention of the tennis-ball contest being just a five-over a side is only going to add more indifference to the event.

But it turned out to be far more intense and interesting than expected. What more, the cricketers can’t have enough of it. Those who thought result was not so important, they had not reckoned with the die-hard approach of the two captains on view.

Kapil, who led the Indian combination, and Kallicharan, his counterpart from the All Stars UK team are the ones who just hate losing, even in a friendly contest of this nature. Therefore, it did not come as a surprise when India won by just four runs in a last-ball finish.

After India had hammered 108 for the loss of Anshuman Gaekwad’s wicket, the All Stars UK team faltered at the finish. Needing a six off Ajay Jadeja’s final delivery, Kallicharan could not clear the 25-yard boundary and his miscued pull could only fetch a single.

The Indians, both on the field and those among the tourists who stayed back to cheer their heroes, made no secret of their joy. It was a fun event but the cricketers showed that winning still matters to them.

“It was great fun being here to play cricket in such environs. But once I wear the kit and enter the cricket ground, I play with intensity to win. That’s how I’ve always played my cricket,” said Kapil soon after the match.

Kallicharan, who swept to boundary the only ball he faced from Kapil, and went on to smash five sixes in the extended final over, reiterated, “If you try to give your best every time, you want to win every time.

“Fun lies in winning,” said the left-hander whose sense of humour had the Indian cricketers in splits repeatedly during their150-minute journey, each way between Interlaken and Jungfrau.