Sharmistha Gooptu in Birmingham
I was again one of the very first in the press box today, as my colleagues were on their live shows on different streams for RevSportz. The teams had come in and were inside the ground, warming up, playing ball and generally bantering. Some of the Indian players were playing with a football and the body language from my positing high above in the glass box seemed relaxed, with high levels of bonding and camaraderie.
After several rounds of heading the ball around, one of them, possibly Karun Nair (I need to carry a pair of binoculars from the next time if I’m going to be playing bird properly!), was chased and surrounded by his teammates who then each tapped his head in some kind of a boy’s ritual. Boys they were almost, playing, chasing and bantering — almost certain of making history if nature doesn’t spoil their game.
On another side, the English players were also engaged in a game of ball, teasing and some banter.
Somewhere between these two, Jasprit Bumrah was getting some practice with fielding coach T Dilip. He then jogged over to the team huddle with Gautam Gambhir intensely addressing the team, Shubman Gill next to him. It was a heart-warming moment when each one in the huddle patted the next on their back — a spontaneous piece of action that lasted about half-a-minute — a brotherhood.
The huddle broke when the rains came and everyone rushed in. Now, it has stopped and the stadium staff is running the equipment to soak up the puddles as all of the us in the press box wait for the game to start.
The birdie took it all in!
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