Two Seven Three Not Out

 

One.. two.. three.. the score-board changed steadily. V.V.S. Laxman was batting.

India was one down in the series and the second test was in progress. The mighty Australia had enforced the follow-on. India was again in a bad shape in their second innings when Laxman came in and Dravid joined him.

Apu had had to be carried to the stadium. He knew this will be the last time he will be out of his home. Cricket was his greatest love. He had himself scored 273 not out once and had won an important tournament for his school.

But his world turned topsy-turvy, one, what looked like, a fine morning. It was all a rush of events. Food poisoning – sudden hospitalization – rapid blood transfusion – and an unkind, under the belt strike, - AIDS infected blood. His mind broke down before his body.

His friends, to cheer him up brought him to the Eden Garden. India’s hopeless position convinced him that he will soon yield to the HIV.

But as he looked at Laxman and Dravid something in them perked him up.

Will the impossible happen ? Will India win? If so he will also win. That was sure. His mind said that if Laxman reaches 273 for him, then he also could hope. Hours passed steadily. There was a grim battle in the middle. A parallel battle over HIV in his body. Suddenly Apu jumped into the ground, all his strength regained. Neither Laxman nor the crowd could understand this passionate hug. If there had been a Pope of cricket, Laxman would have qualified to be ‘Blessed’

The giant score-board read, not out 273.

 

Swami Sampurnananda, 22 October 2003.