Kachaa Limboo!

"Aye Kachaa Limboo, Bowling Karega?" that was my captain asking me if I would like to bowl the last over in a "friendly" cricket match. I was the youngest and weakest link. I was a good runner, so the team always made me the fielder to help prevent the other team score runs. We were not the best team, neither did we have great players, but what we had was a larger than life spirit to challenge Goliath.

Sometimes taking on an audacious goal, is not the wisest thing you do - this was a realisation we had after we challenged the reigning Champions to a “friendly” cricket match.

This probably was the second silliest thing we did after we were defeated in football by the same team 12-0 two weeks ago!

To make the match fair to both teams. rules of the match were set, including a match of 6 overs and one person to bowl only one over. The opposite team won the toss and elected to bat. We went into the match with 2 Spinners and 4 Medium Pacers who were identified at the start to bowl the 6 overs. Given our limited experience in playing professional cricket and no coaching, we faced a daunting task. No sooner did the match begin, the batsmen started hitting the bowlers out of the park and started scoring runs like water running from an open tap. I was exhausted, running, trying to stop the ball from crossing over the boundary. Tragedy stuck us in the 5th over when one of our identified bowlers fingers got cut while trying to stop a boundary. The cracked fingers also exposed the crack in our team, no other player close to being a bowler the captain had to make a choice.

I still do not know what went through his mind, but snapped his fingers and asked "Aye Kachaa Limboo Bowling Karega?" indicating clearly that I was the least preferred option. This was my chance to shine, never having bowled in a premier league. I was excited, as I was given advice on how to bowl, what to watch for and how to trap the batsmen. With this LMR (Last Minute Revision) on bowling, I was ready.

First ball, slightly slow, the batsmen struck hard and ran for two. “This is ok, relax”, calming my nerves, I began my run up and as the ball left my hands, the umpire signaled a "no ball". The batsman came forward to hit a ball for a boundary. The captain screamed at me and said "abe line dekh, line". Pressure started to build as all eyes were on me to avoid crossing the line, and the inevitable happened. The umpire called "no-ball” and the batsman hit and scored two more. "Abe andhe, line dekh, line" the pleasantries were spoken in frustration and to help me focus. As per the match rules If I bowled another no-ball or wide, I would have to be moved out and the rest of the over would be completed by someone else. The captain walked up to me and said "tu sirf line aur length dekh, fielding hum dekh lenge", this quick pep talk gave me some confidence. I bowled well, giving the team just 3 runs in 2 balls. I was riding high on the success as I took my short run up to bowl the next. I saw the batsman come ahead, indicating that he would hit me for a six. I panicked and decided to throw the ball slightly wider to the pitch. This unfortunately went way too wide, and the umpire signaled "wide ball". My captain did not know what to do, he just dug his head in shame and walked away. Stress increasing, heart pumping, for the next ball I took a longer run up and… messed it again! The umpire signaled "no-ball" and the batsmen hit and ran to complete 3 runs. While technically I had bowled 7 balls, I still had 3 more to complete the over. I could sense desperation and frustration in all my team members. I was sure that there will never be a next time for me as a bowler. This is when Ashok our star bowler who was injured walked up to me asked me to relax and focus on "getting the batsman out", asked me to stop looking at the line, stop looking at others and focus only on the stumps. He spoke to me with respect, made me feel that "I could do it", made sure that he told the other team members to back off.

"Oye Billy, ankh bandkarke wicket uddade" Ashok smilingly said as I began my run up. I did exactly as suggested, I bowled keeping my eyes closed. "Thakk", the sharp sound of the ball hitting wood sent the entire field into silence. I opened my eyes expecting the worst. Thankfully, the ball followed a perfect path and took the stumps off ground and the batsman who kept hitting me for runs was bowled out. A joyous scream was the obvious outcome, and I was jumping in joy. Ashok and my captain applauded and patted me on the back. Two more to go, I reassured myself. This time there were loads of positivity and support from my team members. Ashok winked and asked me to focus again, this time I decided to keep my eyes open. Magic happens when you least expect it, the new nervous batsman on crease handed an easy catch to me and I recorded my second wicket. The team went crazy, jumping and hugging me making me feel like the most important person in the world. It was all down to the last ball, I needed to ensure I don't give any extras. I smiled that this ordeal was coming to an end and bowled it to the new batsman on crease. "Thakk" the sound this time was louder, and I could see the batsman smiling as he came forward to hit it right behind me. There goes my happiness, I sighed silently. As I turned, I could see Ashok running from long on to net a fantastic left handed catch! unbelievable, I got a hat-trick. I had tears of joy running down my cheeks!

I never went on to play "premier league" matches after this, but the experience left me with some great lessons.

1.??????Take risks: not everything will go as per plan. If nothing else, the pandemic is a great example of how the best laid plans can fail. Yet, people, teams, organisations took risks and emerged successful. If you are willing to risk it, you will get the returns in the long run.

2.??????Provide direction: not everyone in your team is padded up for facing the fast ball. As a leader you need to work towards making the member understand the why, the what to help them move positively in direction of growth.

3.??????Lend unconditional support: it is fun to hear "mutual funds’ investments are subject to market risks, please read offer document carefully before investing", but when it is about a team member, you need to provide 100% unbiased support. A chain is as strong as the weakest link; hence your responsibility should be to make the weakest link stronger by supporting them just like how Ashok provided me with the support.

How many “Kachaa Limboos” have you placed your bets on? If not done already do it, you may find some amazing stars, who will outshine themselves with some direction and support. Many a times, it is a belief that changes outcomes. As leaders we just need to make sure we invest in everyone and tap their potential.

I had the opportunity to bet on some “Kachaa Limboos” as a part of my journey, some of whom delivered higher value, some did not. That is how it is supposed to be.

I feel proud that someone placed a bet on me as a “Kachaa Limboo” and I could make memories and take back life lessons. That day, I scored a measly 3 runs and was bowled out, we lost the match by a huge margin, but I walked home a winner. Winner as I found support in the form of Ashok & my team Captain. Confidence that I can focus and deliver if I have the right direction. The scoreboard will always read 10 Balls-3 No Balls-1 Wide-3 Wickets (thankfully not a world record in worst bowling performance). While not the best to boast, but getting a hat-trick ;) priceless!