Playing at Lord’s in England or Eden Gardens at Kolkata was a big thing back then. Featuring several game types ( Test’s, Odi’s, T20’s and many more), with the options to select from different pitches and weather condition, matches can be played at venues across the world.
I can strongly say, I will have tears in my eyes even today when I hear ( not watch!) those lines.Ĭoming back to Cricket’ 07, it is the revolution of that time. To make you understand better, I love Ravi Shastri’s voice in the background more than the six that Dhoni scored in the 2011 Cricket World Cup final at Wankhede. I guess you are like “Man! You already told you liked those phrases.” But, Sorry! I cannot resist myself.
At a time when I could hardly speak fluent English, I knew all these commentary phrases by heart. I don’t know why, but I could not refrain from thinking of different ways to play this game back then.įrom the oration of renowned Australian commentator Richie Bernard to the Englishman Mark Nicolas, those phrases simply reverberate in my mind all the time. That’s all I needed back then! Studying, Eating, Sleeping and almost everything reminded me of this game. I would change all the players according to the playing XI of that day and talk to myself ( Commentary) all day playing that game. Sports on my P.C, chances are very very very high (more than 1000%} that you will find me choosing the later one.
Not an exaggeration but if you ask me to choose between watching an electrifying India vs Pakistan match on TV and playing Ea. I would come home only after I played the game to the fullest which is mostly enacting an entire real-time cricket match in the game. On Sundays, I would attend that odd extra class, come back home and sneak into my room with absolutely no noise, change my clothes and run to my friends’ home ( Obviously for EA) even before my dad realizes that I wasn’t at home. Out of my 10 close friends, less than 3 had a P.C and sadly I didn’t have one and I always wanted one. But back then, having a P.C/ Laptop was a big thing in any house and the one who had that was a hero. Ha-ha! Maybe this is the reason I don’t have games on any of my devices now. Today, while I pause for a second and think, I realize that with the mobile phone close to my bed, iPad in my rack and laptop on my study table, I hardly find playing games difficult. To be very honest, more than television cricket, this is something that taught me the very nuances of the game- Cricket. A game that virtually puts you in the shoes of the players to experience the on-field drama. Games like Vice City, Mortal Combat, TOD maybe your childhood favorites but you simply can’t ignore this game.
OMG! Stealing my dad’s laptop when he is busy doing something else or sometimes pleading my mom with my innocent face to let me play the game at least once a day- I did everything to play this game. I still remember desperately waiting for my dad to forget his laptop at home or at least sleep for some time- only to play this game. It is nearly 10 hours of our day in childhood. But Man, this is much more than that for all of us.
OK! So, you think it’s some PC game after you see the two letters EA which is abbreviated to Electronic Arts. It was an emotion and it will always be an emotion for a 20th-century kid. But what’s all this? A cricket match of the last week or an old radio commentary tape of the ’80s and ’90s. You ask me in the middle of my deep sleep, I will tell all of them in one go! I just can never forget them. I am connected to them more than a BEE IS CONNECTED TO A FLOWER. It’s been more than a decade but these phrases are still so special to me. I think the leadership has done its part but tactically they won the game as a whole.” What a brilliant performance this is! Happy and Smiling faces out there and they do reflect the job that is quite brilliantly done. MN: “That’s it, they have got it! They have done it! You are looking at a championship side. RB: “Never mind that one, the broken ropes have the best chances of catching that one!” The umpire thinks it’s not out! Let’s see the action replay there!” MN: “Big shout from the bowler and… No response from the Umpire. RB: “Ah! I think he’s okay but that must have ruffled his feathers a bit.” MN: “Straight drive is his favorite stroke! We know that he knows that, they should know that and it shows.” RB: “He has gone a long long way, he is having his great to watch for the neutral, not so good for the bowler.” MN: “This is a batsman’s pitch! I am amazed he has chosen to bowl first, it’s firm, there is no real covering of grass and I think the bounce will be even. I’d be batting first if I won this toss.” RB: “It’s a firm pitch with even bounce and good carry through to the wicket-keeper.