Here's some suggestion to the guy who is making his debut in the State Zone. I can give you tips on how to start in the National and the International Matches some other day! :P
1. Do substantial net-practice before you go to field. I mean on and off net: i.e. both practicals and homework. That is where you get to learn. Know your strengths.Give importance to hands. Make friends with your willow.
2. Talk to someone who knows the manager of the team. Else it's difficult to get in. There are people more skilled and richer than you standing in the line. How can you find that 'someone'? Keep your eyes open. How can you convince this person to tell the manager of you? Take him/ her to a beer-party and then climb up to gin. If it's a 'she' vodka would be fine.
Important: Some people wouldn't listen to this and would like to try out on their own -- almost reducing to showing their skills near fields where live matches are going on for attracting attention. This can be dangerous. Do not let the police know that you are doing something illegal. Generally team managers will be more concerned about this than you.
3. The manager will give you a date and time to play. Don't tell him/ her that this is your debut. Just a suggestion. Venue is very important. Let the manager choose. You can pay for it later.
4. If you see lots of people in between and feel unsure and unsafe -- hold on to it. You are on track! Genuine team managers never reveal identity.
5. Get only one mobile phone in your pocket and some money and nothing else. Security can rob the things from you and may never give them back! Don't pay more than 3k. Given that you are a common man, which most of us are, the return would suit you just fine. More if you are making your debut. Also don't make it a deal if the manager starts auctioning below 5k. It can just be unsafe with broken rules! You can reduce 5k down to 3k with bargaining if you are persistant. If you don't have experience try your hand first at the annual sari sale (go with your mom and watch closely how she does it).
6. Important if you are a debutant: Try not to have heavy food before start of match. And never have alcohol.
7. Be patient. They are never on time. More if the traffic police is nearby. Keep your eyes open and keep communicating through phone. Don't be nervous if the manager doesn't take your call a couple of times. And most importantly, don't run away.
8. After your team member(s) arrive(s) follow instructions on spot. Don't play hero. These are all safety instructions on how to avoid women, ogling eyes of people and police on your way. Once you are safely inside the field you can play hero.
9. Get rid of the money then and there -- whenever they first ask for it: you must trust. Make sure the manager is on the line while making the payment. So you have just your mobile phone and some odd 200 bucks to eat something and return home after the match is over.
10. If the team member(s) ask(s) for your mobile to make a call -- give it! Your number is just being registered to a friend's cell -- who'll allow more economical offers next time if the team likes you. Don't delete the number and save it as 'XXX'. Delete it later if you want and stop taking calls.
11. Get spurious people out off the field as soon as possible. Lock the entrance.
12. Important: Make sure you have got plenty of umbrellas. You must be clean even if the environment wants to contaminate you: both literally and figuratively. Your team member(s) will get umbrellas most of the time. But please confirm twice before you start. Unwanted rain can well be a spoilsport.
13. Don't talk much. Debutante are often nervous and end up chattering. Remember that time is running out. However, please start with a "hi". Then you are free to go ahead.
14. Both of you can avoid the toss if you have mutual understanding regarding who'll bowl and who'll bat. Try not to sit idle when you are being invited to start the match. It'll start on a bitter note then.
15. Understand the brain of your opponent. Remember you have already paid and so it's better to start respecting. Be generous with praise. Everyone feels good when they get appreciated for what they are and for what skills they have. Have sportsman spirit!
16. Important: Remember it's a limited form of the game where you must abide by certain rules: no matter how involved you have already become. Use Only Your: Eyes, Hands, and Willow
17. Follow the rules. Else: your stock earns a bad reputation in the market.
18. Important if you are a debutant: Forget about the time limit set by your manager. Once you have paid the money, a new time limit is set by your opponent. You'll get a chance to bat at most thrice. For 3k, that's fare! Respect the decision when you have been declared out: you yourself know it! Don't fake. Go back to the pavilion like a good boy, dress up and come back and take stance again. However, if you don't follow the rules and piss your opponent off, the match might well be declared abandoned and it'll be abandoned well before time!
19. Upper cuts are allowed. Good hand-eye coordination can make things damn interesting. Make proper use of your fingers when taking a good grip. You can score 35% of your marks in the first few power-plays itself! Please cut your nails before you go. Tampering is not allowed!
20. Lower cuts can be interesting too: but it's better to be cautious. Forget your net-practice. It's only hands and eyes that you use here. Be very very careful. Only this part can make your stay in the pitch longer than one hour. Be artistic. In 3k you'll mostly have opponents who come to the field after proper bathing and shaving. So, don't worry! Watch out for the blind spot! Yorkers there can be devastating and passionate.
21. Sometimes let your opponent free to decide what to do next. You can't take all the decisions yourself! Learn to Trust (except for the rule-breaking). The experience will help you later in your domestic matches.
22. Finally you both have to come to terms with exactly when you are going to start the penalty strokes. Don't be disheartened if you see there's no goal-keeper and you are making goal easily once you are inside the penalty-box! It happens in this form of the game! Mostly, you'll get a wide goal-post. Accept, keep your comments to yourself and move on.
23. Important if you are a debutant: There are several ways to score. You can have net practice with that too before you go. But no use if you are making your debut. Come back to the manual later. Follow the rules set by your opponent (as long as they comply with the rules mentioned above). Other striking poses require high skill and loads of practice! Proper knowledge on umbrellas can be used now. For a straight shot one umbrella is enough, while for a loft you may just need two. Don't ask me on the bi-cycle kick: I have limited knowledge on that! :P
Please don't make a fool of yourself. Be honest of what you are and what you are not. Else you'll face the consequences: and that may dampen your spirit.
Please don't make a fool of yourself. Be honest of what you are and what you are not. Else you'll face the consequences: and that may dampen your spirit.
24. It'll wear you out fast. Don't be disheartened. Sport always comes with sweat and toil. Don't be sad if your opponent doesn't encourage you to play more. Quit the field when you are out the 3rd time. Be it after 1 hour or after 4 (obviously allowing for a few breaks in between)! Don't nag. You'll only be given a chance to bat more than 3 times if your opponent has enjoyed the game simultaneously alongside you: happens rarely. If you ever climb to this level and sustain there: and if you never feel the need to play domestic games of this professional level: you'll make a good player when you are playing back in your own yard. Most of common men, like us, choose that.
25. Don't be elated if the opponent shakes hands after the match is over and says: "You were excellent, do you wanna take my personal number?" It means nothing but: "Gimme a call when you consider coming next -- I can arrange in less than 3k! I'll also get more myself if you are paying me directly and keeping our team manager out of this." Remember they are worried only about the money. In very rare cases: you'll find chits in your pocket after you have returned home with the personal number written on it. :P
25. Don't be elated if the opponent shakes hands after the match is over and says: "You were excellent, do you wanna take my personal number?" It means nothing but: "Gimme a call when you consider coming next -- I can arrange in less than 3k! I'll also get more myself if you are paying me directly and keeping our team manager out of this." Remember they are worried only about the money. In very rare cases: you'll find chits in your pocket after you have returned home with the personal number written on it. :P
26. Don't disrespect the venue after you have finished! Don't misbehave. Pay respect to the people who have been waiting outside the field. If you want you can also give them some tip. Say a "bye". And leave with a smile.
27. Important: While in the field, be very much prepared for sledging. It's a part and parcel of every game. If you are weak-hearted, don't go! Try not to sledge back. Common, man! You can just have a long, hard look and it can melt many a ice. In extreme cases, sledge back if you can't control your opponent's game in any way. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't!
28. Have a cigarette while returning home (or even two or more than that: smoke your heart out: this will bring you back to the real, domestic world). Unlike most people say, don't have cold drinks: soft or hard (unless it's 40 degrees hot outside). Try something hot and nutritious. Like a bowl of Chicken Soup, sitting inside an AC restaurant. It'll start rejuvenating your resources.
29. Walk. It'll give you time to think on how to present everything if someone asks about it at home.
Footnote: I loved listening to bhajans and I still like bhajans. You can also visit a temple, after your match, if you like the calm environment there. This form of the game is just another thing on plate. It doesn't guarantee hell and wouldn't increase your sin. At least it's a lesser sin than blowing up a petrol pump, working under some odd bin-Laden. We are neither Devil nor God. Neither Black nor White. We are all gray because we are all human beings!
The palette obviously has more colors to it other than just black, white or gray! But I've heard that they surface only when you are in love. It's a different feeling all together and I can talk about it some other day. :)
