Sharmistha Gooptu in London
It was almost 10 this morning at Lord’s. Unlike other days, the Indian team was still not seen inside the ground, with about an hour before the start of play. Some members of the England team were seen warming up.
A handful of men in blue were conversing at the other end of the ground, too far for the birdie to make out who’s who. Then, I spotted Ravindra Jadeja in the distance, striding out from the ground on the side of the media centre – the gate opposite the Nursery end. Fans have assembled early as everyday, hoping for a glimpse of their heroes, most outside the gate to the ground, and a few inside the stands. Jadeja raised his bat in acknowledgment to those calling to him from the lower stands.
I glanced again towards the centre of the ground and spotted Gautam Gambhir with a member of the support staff – hands clasped behind his back, the typical GG stance, in intent conversation. Always one to mask his emotions, his clasped hands nonetheless spoke of some tension. This match is so far and so near – can his boys hold their nerve? According to experts, this is a stance that indicates a person might be trying to calm himself/herself, getting a hold of things – the arm or wrist clasp signifies somebody searching for comfort or calmness.
Quarter past ten local time, and the team has assembled – stretching, warming up, taking throws. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have wandered to the far end of the ground, the media centre side, and are playing catch and laughing with each other.
Gambhir wanders further still in conversation. Stance intact. A lot will be said of him either way today… Let’s hope we are able to give a standing ovation to him and his boys.
For More Sports Related News: Follow RevSportz