Kadhal Kanmani

South African Bilateral Series

1st ODI Match

In the vibrant city of Durban, South Africa, the 27th of December arrived with great anticipation. It was the day of India's first ODI match against South Africa. India won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to put up a challenging score on the board. Gaurav and Adhi, our opening batsmen, eagerly prepared themselves for the battle ahead. Before they stepped onto the field, I wished them both luck and gave Adhi a final word of encouragement: "Forget the environment; play at your will." Adhi gratefully replied, "Thanks, didi," and dashed down the stairs with determination in his eyes. The weather gods were on our side as the sun beamed down on the pitch, creating the perfect conditions for an enthralling game of cricket. The Indian team was brimming with confidence. It seemed like everything was aligned for a magical day. As the match began, our batsmen displayed an extraordinary performance, leaving the South African fielders in awe. Adhi, in particular, captured the attention of the spectators with his explosive batting. He fearlessly hammered the ball to all corners of the field, scoring a scintillating 87 runs off just 45 balls. The crowd erupted with applause, recognizing his talent and sheer audacity. Not to be outdone, our bowlers took the field with the same fire and determination as the batsmen. They unleashed a fierce onslaught on the South African batters, applying immense pressure from the very first over. Within the first 10 overs, we had taken all ten wickets, leaving the opposition in shambles. It was a commanding display of skill and teamwork.

After the match, we gathered back in our dressing room, basking in the glory of our victory. The room was filled with jubilation and a sense of accomplishment. David, our coach, addressed us with pride in his voice, "Boys, you all did an amazing job today. You showed the world what Indians are truly capable of. And Adhi, a special hats off to you for your exceptional bravery on the field." We cheered in unison, acknowledging Adhi's incredible performance and his contribution to our triumph. The win felt even sweeter, knowing that it was a team effort. David, knew that rest was well deserved for his warriors. "That's it, boys. Pack your things, and let's head back to the hotel. You all deserve a peaceful sleep after today's achievements."

As we made our way back to the hotel, I couldn't help but be captivated by the mesmerizing beauty of the night sky. The stars seemed to twinkle with such brilliance, as if they were dancing just for us. Lost in the enchantment, I leaned against the bus window, my gaze fixated on the celestial spectacle. Suddenly, Adhi joined me, taking a seat beside me. His presence startled me, and my eyebrows shot up in surprise and shock. Adhi, however, understood my reaction and reassured me, "They are asleep; no one is awake." A sense of relief washed over me, replacing my initial apprehension. With a smile, I reached out and gently held Adhi's hand, bringing it to my lips for a tender kiss. "You did an amazing job, champion," I complimented him. He beamed in response, his eyes twinkling like the stars above. "Well, if there's going to be a beautiful princess giving a gentle kiss, then I'm determined to be a champion all the time," he replied playfully. Both of us burst into laughter, the sound intertwining with the whispers of the night.

2nd ODI Match

It was the 29th of December, the day of our second ODI match against South Africa in Johannesburg. As luck would have it, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. It was a tough first half for India, as the South African batsmen, particularly David Miller, were on fire. Miller managed to score a brilliant century, and by the end of the 50 overs, the scoreboard showed a formidable 234 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. As the second half began, our opening batsmen, the formidable pair of GOAT and Adhi, walked confidently onto the field. India had an equivalent opening to South Africa, with both players maintaining a good run rate. However, the tables turned when GOAT lost his wicket, followed by the quick dismissal of two more batsmen. Suddenly, we were 76 for 3, and the situation looked even scarier. Zahiri, the next batter in line, managed to keep his wicket intact but struggled to score runs. The pressure was mounting on Adhi, who now had the responsibility of bringing the score up. Showing remarkable resilience, Adhi managed to score consistently despite the challenging situation. However, tragedy struck when he lost his wicket on 95, leaving India at 193 for 5. Nevertheless, the lower middle-order batsmen stepped up to the challenge and scored the remaining runs required for victory. India emerged as the triumphant team in a nail-biting finish. In recognition of his exceptional performance under pressure, Adhi was awarded Player of the Match during the post-match presentation.

Back in the dressing room, the team eagerly awaited their champion's arrival. As Adhi entered the room, the boys lifted him up in celebration, cheering and hooting with joy. David warmly congratulated Adhi and the entire team for their outstanding performance when it mattered the most. As we packed our belongings to return to the hotel, Adhi approached me with mischievousness in his eyes and whispered, "Kanmani, didn't I say I would become a champion if I received my rewards regularly?" I couldn't help but smile back at him and playfully push him away.