Venturing beyond ......................
Jehangir and Jansher Khan have always fascinated me for the sheer fact that they ruled the world of squash for a considerable time. This fascination took a back seat as I was struggling with my back injury and trying to regain my lost glory in the world of badminton. Years have passed by until a couple of weeks ago I had an invite to play at the Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai.
The first time we were scheduled to play was on 1st May, but disappointingly found out that the courts were closed due to the Labour Day. The next target was Saturday, 8th May and the whole of Friday evening and night was spend on imagining the nuances of the game. My colleague, Sanjay also joined. He picked me up at 9.00am sharp and he seemed to be equally excited as I was. We reached the venue at 9.30 am as against a scheduled start of 10.00am. We spend about 20 minutes warming up ....like all professionals do:) We could hear the creaking of the joints and the stretching of the muscles. It was'nt as much difficult for Sanjay as it was for me. Body completely out of shape and fitness, which made me wonder, if I was really a sportsman!!
Prateek came in and true to his straight forward approach got down to business. Since I was ready he got me into the courts and started patiently teaching me the game. One stroke, two strokes...gasp...three strokes....gasp gasp gasp and four strokes......seeing cirlces in the air...Sheer inability in me, to last a more demanding game. Sanjay came in and played pretty decent. He lasted longer than I did. Whilst all this was happening a resounding reality dawned on me...the level of fitness of Akshay, Dwaipayan and Prateek.
Prateek is an enigma....his quest to excel in what ever he does...is outstanding. He played the game at a blistering pace and yet had time to talk and coach us in between. Not a moment could I see him out of breath. He played this game like chess..planning every move and creating every opening. It was a delight to watch him play. It was also a treat to watch Akshay and Dwaipayan play. They never gave up easily and fought every point to the end.Akshay, despite his big build moved with ease and played every point valiantly. DC as we call Dwaipayan, was amazing in his reach..but I guess has some time to go before playing to beat Prateek and Co. Each one of them was a lesson in fitness!
To me it was one of the greatest moments of truth...I need to improve on my fitness. I guess it should be two to three months before I start to get a hang of this sport which is addictive for sure. I enjoyed every moment out there...even when I was counting stars out of sheer fatigue.
We then decided to spend some time at Prateek's house. A very hospitable home...every time one has been there, it has been warm and welcoming. I did catch up a quick shower and changed clother to dry ones and spent some time like we used to do in our bachelor days.... sipping beers talking sports, mountains, wild life, books, movies etc. The awesome host had chilled beers and even chilled beer mugs and the ambience was outstanding. This was truly one of the best Saturdays that I have spent just doing what we love to do the most...sports, beer and and a whole bunch of topics to discuss where vested interest do not come in. The last time we had was a pretty impulsive move. On our way back from Pune, Ranjit , Sanjay and I had a great idea to play badminton in Sanjay's Residential Complex. We played a few games sipped beer looking at the Navi Mumbai skyline. Sanjay's wife played a perfect host though she complained about Sanjay's stamina :) :)..I recall that evening as one such evening where the moments spent together brought in so much of proximity with each other.
I could not but feel sorry for some of our colleagues who were invitied but could not make it due to some committments for they missed out on an experience that was beyond expression . Sanjay and I had good drive back. He stayed awake till he dropped me home and I am sure that exhaustion would have forced him down to take a nap before he got home. A man with a great sportsman spirit and enthusiasm!!
It again brought home the reality that the best times of togetherness and warmth comes with setting aside time for each other and in helping others knowing what they do not know. In other words sharing experience and helping people learn through that experience. I am sure that this induction into Squash will remain etched long in our minds.....
The first time we were scheduled to play was on 1st May, but disappointingly found out that the courts were closed due to the Labour Day. The next target was Saturday, 8th May and the whole of Friday evening and night was spend on imagining the nuances of the game. My colleague, Sanjay also joined. He picked me up at 9.00am sharp and he seemed to be equally excited as I was. We reached the venue at 9.30 am as against a scheduled start of 10.00am. We spend about 20 minutes warming up ....like all professionals do:) We could hear the creaking of the joints and the stretching of the muscles. It was'nt as much difficult for Sanjay as it was for me. Body completely out of shape and fitness, which made me wonder, if I was really a sportsman!!
Prateek came in and true to his straight forward approach got down to business. Since I was ready he got me into the courts and started patiently teaching me the game. One stroke, two strokes...gasp...three strokes....gasp gasp gasp and four strokes......seeing cirlces in the air...Sheer inability in me, to last a more demanding game. Sanjay came in and played pretty decent. He lasted longer than I did. Whilst all this was happening a resounding reality dawned on me...the level of fitness of Akshay, Dwaipayan and Prateek.
Prateek is an enigma....his quest to excel in what ever he does...is outstanding. He played the game at a blistering pace and yet had time to talk and coach us in between. Not a moment could I see him out of breath. He played this game like chess..planning every move and creating every opening. It was a delight to watch him play. It was also a treat to watch Akshay and Dwaipayan play. They never gave up easily and fought every point to the end.Akshay, despite his big build moved with ease and played every point valiantly. DC as we call Dwaipayan, was amazing in his reach..but I guess has some time to go before playing to beat Prateek and Co. Each one of them was a lesson in fitness!
To me it was one of the greatest moments of truth...I need to improve on my fitness. I guess it should be two to three months before I start to get a hang of this sport which is addictive for sure. I enjoyed every moment out there...even when I was counting stars out of sheer fatigue.
We then decided to spend some time at Prateek's house. A very hospitable home...every time one has been there, it has been warm and welcoming. I did catch up a quick shower and changed clother to dry ones and spent some time like we used to do in our bachelor days.... sipping beers talking sports, mountains, wild life, books, movies etc. The awesome host had chilled beers and even chilled beer mugs and the ambience was outstanding. This was truly one of the best Saturdays that I have spent just doing what we love to do the most...sports, beer and and a whole bunch of topics to discuss where vested interest do not come in. The last time we had was a pretty impulsive move. On our way back from Pune, Ranjit , Sanjay and I had a great idea to play badminton in Sanjay's Residential Complex. We played a few games sipped beer looking at the Navi Mumbai skyline. Sanjay's wife played a perfect host though she complained about Sanjay's stamina :) :)..I recall that evening as one such evening where the moments spent together brought in so much of proximity with each other.
I could not but feel sorry for some of our colleagues who were invitied but could not make it due to some committments for they missed out on an experience that was beyond expression . Sanjay and I had good drive back. He stayed awake till he dropped me home and I am sure that exhaustion would have forced him down to take a nap before he got home. A man with a great sportsman spirit and enthusiasm!!
It again brought home the reality that the best times of togetherness and warmth comes with setting aside time for each other and in helping others knowing what they do not know. In other words sharing experience and helping people learn through that experience. I am sure that this induction into Squash will remain etched long in our minds.....
Comments
I now see that a simple comment made in total innocence will continue to haunt Sanjay for the rest of his life :) :)
Vrushali
This was a very interesting read. Please share more of your experiences. All your blogs are very detailed and enriching.
Regards
Sudha