My neighbour - "Teresa"..

If there's one place where I've spent more time than Bangalore, its Bristol. There was a great connect with the place in a lot of ways. And when things happen unexpectedly you tend to enjoy all the more. Sometimes it takes time to adapt and the initial days were quite boring. But soon it was fun. Everything about Bristol was great. The food, travel, shopping, soccer, Horfield sports center, cricket, cycling, the pubs and much more :-)

While i kind of hated travelling initially, i realized it was infact great fun going around Europe. That was the best thing to happen. Although a veggie, food was never an issue. I loved the McVities chocolate biscuit and almond croissant from Tesco, the breakfast at my workplace Aztec West which included scrambled eggs, toast and honey, hashbrown and bakedbeans, the cereal bars and Lucozade sports drink. Everyone loved the Horfield sports center, for its facilities were magnificent. It had a swimming pool with warm water, squash courts, gym and a makeshift basketball/football/badminton court. The 5-a side football game at Horfield was a great pastime and everyone of us (Caritor/Keane employees) would be eager for the weekend to kick some ass on the court.

While i cherish the whole experience one thing which i miss about Bristol is my doting neighbour Teresa Lines. When i came back to Bangalore i made it a point to keep in touch with her either through phone or mail. Her husband Vic, an avid sports lover was on medication for quite a long time and passed away in 2007. Her grandchildren lived close by, couple of roads away but Teresa lived alone. Whenever i called her she'd instantly recognize through my voice and would start the conversation in her own inimitable style "khaaaurtikkk(read karthik).... hi my love.... how r u????" with a laugh. I'd always joke around with her and crack some stupid jokes whenever i spoke to her. She was quite fond of me always enquiring about girl friends, my work, my parents and ofcourse my gym!

During one of my recent phone conversation, the voice on the other side trembled. I realized something was wrong. She said "Khaaurtik..... I've not been well for a while now.... I've just had a surgery and some x-rays for the lungs.....I've turned 80 and its not getting better". After the conversation i went into a reverie trying to remember the days in Bristol.

Teresa was like a guardian. Am sure the rest of the guys who stayed at 42, Third avenue opine the same. Not many in their 80's would have the energy and enthusiasm as she did. It was fantastic to see how she cared for us - the boys next door. She would enquire about our work, the life back in India , the soiled curtains, gardening and a whole load of things. She'd update us with what had happened in the neighbourhood, the thefts, burglaries, prayers at the church and much more. Infact, a lot of times she'd remind us of the day when the garbage collection happened and the color of the bin which was supposed to be kept outside.

Most times I'd bump into her with my shorts and jerkin before heading to the gym. She'd ask me not to come back late from the gym as there were few instances of people getting roughed up. She would talk about football and her grandson Chris's stint with the Bristol Rovers. She was extremely proud of him and one day invited me over to her place to show a collection of his photos and articles that appeared in the local media.

Although very sweet I vividly remember an instance of Teresa getting charged up. That day when we had locked the house and left the keys inside. Teresa helped us get a ladder from her neighbour and we tried to sneak through a small opening unsuccessfully. We finally reached the landlord for a duplicate key and were asked collect them. We informed Teresa about this and left to get the duplicate keys. Little did we know Teresa would be waiting for us the whole evening. I must admit it was quite stupid of us to not inform her once we were back. We were in our rooms when she knocked the door hard and started shouting at us for not letting her know. Teresa had a point, for she usually went to bed early and had been waiting for us that day only to realize we'd been home an hour back! It was shameful and embarrassing as she left in a huff saying she wouldn't help us again. I'd been feeling guilty for what had happened and decided to repair the damage done. The next afternoon i wrote an apology letter, got a small teddy bear from the greeting shop and dropped it at her doorstep as she wasn't at home. As i sat watching TV in the evening someone knocked the door. It was Teresa. She was emotional as she hugged me saying it was all fine. The letter and the bear had done the trick :-)

One very poignant moment hard to forget was during the Mumbai train blasts. I came home from work a bit late. Teresa was outside watering the plants. She enquired me about the blasts and the situation in Mumbai. Just as we chatted she broke down. Incidentally she'd lost her son in the war and felt miserable about all the violence in the world. Its hard to react at such times. It was just silence all round.

She loved displaying greeting cards. I think it was during Easter or Christmas, when the cards were all over on the fireplace, window panes and on the table. The best part about Teresa was when she'd prepare home made cakes and distribute. To say they were great would be an understatement. She kept her house spick and span, very contrasting to the one next door!

She loved her cat -"Shandy". Shandy and Teresa had some kind of connection. After Vic's death i paid a visit to her place. Shandy was quiet, didn't move around much and coiled in between my legs quietly. She knew something was definitely amiss.

With just 2 months away before i departed Bristol, i had my parents come over after an Europe trip. The way in which she interacted with them was remarkable. Although my parents couldn't quite comprehend the fast paced English she spoke they were able to understand what she intended to say. Probably telepathic. By the end of their stay they were touched by Teresa's warmth and gesture. Am sure Adi's parents who visited him in 2008 would testify the same.

The week before i left (1st week of July) i presented her with a classic pendulum clock along with a note of thanks. Any number of words wouldn't suffice to express something to Teresa. She hugged me and gave a peck on my cheek. She said she'd miss me and that i was a great lad. That for me was one of the best compliments that I've ever received from someone. Certainly not bragging, but that was something special. I remember messaging Malavika about that.

It was sort of a trend for those who left that place (I'd seen atleast a couple of them) to leave a bouquet at her door. I did the same on July7th. As i left Bristol, i saw Teresa watching from her window and waving at me for one last time.

Teresa was expressive and always spoke her heart out. Her laughter was addictive with great energy in them. She'd introduce her friends, make great cakes. She'd sign off in style saying "alrightttt...take care my love.... byee khaaaaaurtik" and she did mumble the other night when i spoke to her.

She'll always remain special...Home away from home..

India's political and cricket fortunes

Well, the events that unfolded over the last few weeks have been quite invigorating, bit like a roller-coaster ride. It couldn't have been better with the IPL happening both on and off the field (Indian Premier League & the Indian Political League).

Firstly, the uncertainty over any sort of clear majority in the Loksabha elections was palpable. The IPL in South Africa was pretty much similar. For, almost 6 teams jostled for a place in the top four to make it through to the semi-finals. Like the Congress and BJP which formed the fulcrum in their respective alliances (UPA & NDA) with numerous smaller parties revolving around, the Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Superkings were probably the big players on field with the rest beating around the bush trying to have their share of pie.

The mandate looked to be clearly divided with no clear winner emerging. So much so, that the leaders from relatively smaller parties like Mayawati, Sharad Pawar nursed ambitions to become the Prime Minister. While the BSP's and NCP's ebbed away, the resurgence of Royal Challengers and Deccan chargers is a distinctive part between the elections and cricket with the underdogs emerging victorious.For Royal Challenger's the road to the top has been a challenging one especially to stage a comeback after four loses. A testament of the team's will to succeed despite all odds.

The last three matches (Royals Vs KKR, KingsXI Vs Superkings and Royal Challengers Vs Deccan Chargers) were almost like the days before the counting on May 16 with no winners in sight and every party bargaining with every other party in town. While the Royals went down without a fight against the battered Knightriders, KingsXI despite losing to Chennai seemed to be in contention for the semi-finals provided the Royal Challengers lost by huge margins. For Kings XI to make it to the top four, required Deccan Chargers to chase a total of 170 by 11.2 overs, which was quite unlikely.

On the field the wait and the anticipation finally ended with the Royal Challengers joining Daredevils, Deccan and Superkings. At last the points table looked as stable as the people's mandate for the Congress and its allies. Of course, the aftermath was evident with the market shooting up 2000 points like the upsurge of the Royal Challengers. An upsurge that wasn't serendipitous.

With the party's and teams having made and shown great promises it remains to seen if they have the wherewithal to deliver when it really matters.

IPL is more International

The critics wrote it off, the former cricketer's disliked the shorter format and some believed the city based culture was hard to establish given the nationalistic sentiment about the game in India. By and large there were more skeptics than an optimistic audience.

But the IPL took off with a bang, with a hope to nurture young Indian cricketers giving them an opportunity one could never ever fathom about - sharing the same dressing room with the connoisseurs of the game or effecting a run chase with Sachin Tendulkar or setting a field in consultation with Adam Gilchrist or a keeper saying "Common Warney" when Shane Warne is about to bowl! The IPL was a boon that began with a boom, no doubt.

Now in the middle of the second leg of the IPL one wonders if the IPL has actually had one of its objective fulfilled, which is to have some fine young prospects forming the back bone of Indian cricket. With 8 teams and over 60 Indian players, the percentage of an Indian prospect outshining a player of international repute is very negligible. Barring a few like Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Jakati, Abhishek Nayar, Rajat Bhatia and Pradeep Sangwan the rest of the chunk has failed to create any considerable impact.

Time and again the onus has been on the established players to either make or break the game. While the IPL was expected to have some young talent shining through amidst the galaxy of stars, its still players like Hayden, Gilchrist, Tendulkar and Warne who continue to reign.

The game against Mumbai and Royals (May 14th) was an example of the inability of the Indian talent to take responsibility and perform. The idea of sending Yogesh Takawale and Rahane up the order before Sachin and Jayasurya backfired. Eventually it was upto Sachin to help resurrect Mumbai Indians. The Royal Challenger's, Bangalore have been largely dependent on the experience of Anil Kumble while the likes of Robin Uthappa, Karan Sharma, Rajesh Bishnoi haven't delivered as expected. Similarly, Chennai SuperKings have been doing well, thanks to Matthew Hayden and Delhi with AB De Villiers and Dirk Nannes. And for Punjab its a certain Yusuf Abdulla from SouthAfrica.

While a few performances have been heartening, its the international players who have been the kingmakers of the IPL. However the experience of being the subordinates amidst all the master's is sure to keep them in good stead. And with a hope they will rule one fine day.

Batting
ML Hayden -> 486(Runs)

AC Gilchrist -> 329(Runs)

SK Raina -> 322(Runs)

AB de Villiers -> 315(Runs)

SR Tendulkar -> 307(Runs)

JP Duminy -> 301(Runs)

Bowling
SL Malinga ->16 (Wkts)

RP Singh -> 16 (Wkts)

A Nehra -> 15 (Wkts)

YA Abdulla ->14 (Wkts)

SK Warne -> 14 (Wkts)

A Kumble -> 13 (Wkts)

Royal Challenger's timely Resurgence

Not withstanding last year's debacle, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) owned by the liquor baron were expected to be on high spirits right through the 2009 IPL season. The expectations were certainly high after the signings of Kevin Pietersen, Jesse Ryder alike.

But the last couple of games for the RCB (match 41&44) against the battered KnightRiders and a balanced SuperKings outfit is sure to give them a high. A high better than Whyte & Mackay whisky, the team's sponsors.

The Knightriders can't help ruing their luck, thanks to their bowlers. Despite being in shatters McCullum's knock was a testament of grit. 170 by T20 standards is a winning total and any team ought to have defended it. On the other hand the Superkings were undone by some sensible bowling and fielding by Kumble and co. While not many team's have capitalized on Suresh Raina's weakness for the short pitch deliveries, the RCB had surely done their homework well. The think tank comprising of the coach, analyst deserve the credit, for Raina has been in pristine form in the shorter version ever since his return to international cricket.

Considering the myriad of drop catches in the tournament, RCB's fielding was quite refreshing. Van Der Merwe's caught and bowled of a straight drive from Dhoni was brilliant. Dhoni's wicket was probably the turning point, for he along with Hayden were putting on a nice partnership. The rest of the lineup fell like a pack of cards after Dhoni and Hayden's departure when the Superkings were reduced to 101/4.

In response the RCB didn't quite seem to be confident enough in chasing at over 6runs per over. Robin Uthappa's form has been disastrous, Virat kohli's form patchy and the onus was again on Ross Taylor to see the team through. And he did do it with elan. However Van der Merwe's complacent running would deserve some stick from Ray Jennings, the RCB coach.

While the RCB may have lost an opportunity to up the run rate considering the fact that the Mumbai India's and the Royals have that one point advantage (courtesy:a wash out of the first game between MI and Royals), it was a humdinger of a performance by their "go-to man" Ross Taylor nevertheless.

Whether the RCB can make it to the top 4 still remains a mystery, if only they can grab the horse by its ears and create those opportunities rather than playing it too safe.