Cricket begins healing process in Mumbai
Posted on Dec 02, 2008 at 22:48 | Updated Dec 02, 2008 at 23:02
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Mumbai: Amid all the uncertainty and pain that Mumbai is reeling under, cricket took its initial steps to start the healing process. For everyone it was a difficult moment.
The match between Hyderabad and Mumbai was scheduled to be held at the Cricket Club of India on November 29. But the recent terror attacks led to its postponement and subsequently, a shift in the venue to the Mumbai Cricket Academy grounds. But that didn't bother the players who were relieved to play cricket again.
"In a way it's nice to be on the field again and maybe not watch the news which probably depresses you even more," says Mumbai paceman Ajit Agarkar.
But for many it was a sobering realisation as to how uncertain life could be.
"We couldn't sleep that whole night," reveals Rohit Sharma, who was with the Indian team that was playing a series against England. "We kept watching the news. It was very unfortunate. I offer my condolences to all those who lost their lives. We were heart-broken that day."
Watching the fire blazing at the Taj Mahal Hotel was a horror for most of them who at some time or the other have either stayed there with the team or been with friends.
"All cricket teams come and stay at the Taj. It's a really bad experience knowing what they have done to it. It'll take a long, long time for Taj to come back to normal. People will think twice before going in and staying there," says Mumbai captain Wasim Jaffer.
There is a philosophical acceptance that no matter what, the show must go on and the upcoming Test series between India and England could perhaps be just that.
"Looking at the game, the sportstars keep their spirit up all the time. The whole thing that has happened - you can't forget it but you need to get on with normal life again," says former India player Chandrakant Pandit.
This Ranji Trophy match is the first step of life slowly and hesitantly returning to normalcy but the grief and horror that this city has witnessed is still in their minds.
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