22 yards and Beyond

It took him four years to win (Mahi-Dada)

2007, Ind vs ban, post-match

It felt like their worst nightmares had come true, India was out of the World Cup in the group league stage and they had lost to Bangladesh to top that off. The already broken team had now shattered completely. They knew deep down that the tension in the dressing room, had translated onto the felt, the unsettled environment, the palpable discord had effected the youngsters and veterans alike. And Sourav Ganguly, felt like he had lost everything in that match. He had lost so much in last one year, he had lost captaincy, his position as a regular in team and now he lost the world cup dream too. Sourav hated to admit it to himself, but it wouldn't have mattered as much if Jammy was with him, out of all the things he had lost, losing his best friend hurt the most. And now with losing out this badly world cut in the he didn't know if he wanted to fight for anything anymore. The dressing room was suffocating him he wanted to get away from everything. This used to be his comfort zone but not anymore he guessed. And in a bid to not burst onto anyone he escaped to the balcony.

Mahi didn't know how to deal with what he was feeling. He was yet to transform into the level headed, sorted captain, at this moment he was just a young 26 year old who had just been knocked out of his first world cup. After debuting in 2004 Mahi had found a team that was almost like family to each other. And then suddenly everything changed, the team he had known broke. At times now he couldn't even properly recognise his Rahul bhai or even Dada and now this loss. And like any other kid when all this got too overwhelming he wanted a dependable shoulder to lean on. He looked around Sachin paaji was trying to calm Anil bhai, sore was wrapped around Rahul bhai, me couldn't see Dada anywhere. He got up and went to look for him at last finding him in the balcony.

"Dada..." Mahi tentatively started.

"Mahi pls go away" Dada said not wanting to talk to Mahi in this mood.

"Dada suno na" Mahi tried again not wanting to be alone.

"Mahi ja yaaha se bola na" Dada said a little harshly "ek bar bolne se samogh Nahi ata kya tujhe?"

"So...sorry" Mahi said moving away from there.

The whole India couldn't take the loss very well and they reacted in a way that was really unacceptable and uncalled for. The houses of cricketers were being stoned and attacked. Families were going into hiding on the nation forgot that cricket was a game and the team lost after trying all they could.

 Dada received a call from his friend informing him of a mob gathering, outside his Kolkata home with stones and acid bombs. His mind completely fused, only thing he could think of was his little girl, his baby, and Dona. What if.... What if he lost them too? No...no...no he can't think of that, they will be safe, they have to be safe.

He was dealing with what potentially would be a complete meltdown when heard tentative voice again

"Dada..." Mahi almost whispered

In his own emotional turmoil Dada missed the tremble in Mahi’s voice.

"Mahi I told you to go away" Dada said "why can't you leave me alone for just sometime"

"Dada, I know how you feel" Mali said.

"No you don't" Dada said harshly “You didn't play 2003, you aren't the captain who was kicked out of his team...you aren't someone whose... You know nothing" Dada refrained from telling about the job attacks.

"Dada.. Wo.. Mere... Mere... " Mahi tried to find words.

"You what?" Dada snapped at last “Can you see beyond yourself at all? Ground pe toh thik se khel nahi paya, kam se kam abhi do minute ki shanti to dede ya wo bhi I can't have? Learn to see beyond yourself sometime at least. Ek kam hota nahi thik se aur nahi ek baat sunni hai. Just get out from here before I slap you"