The Fall

I have a knack for unwanted and unusual injuries. Although today's was minor and put me in pain for hardly fifteen minutes, it must rank as being amongst my most random.

I'm walking down one of the roads in Sadashivanagar when my mind wanders, and I think of Venkatapathy Raju. Yes, the very same Venkatapathy Raju who made a profession out of lobbing the ball up in a friendly manner. So, on this road, I begin to imitate Raju's bowling action as I walk. I do it once, but get the feeling that the (imaginary) ball wouldn't have come out all that well. Then I bowl the next one. This one's much better. But a little more speed would mean that the batsman can't wait on the backfoot.

So, the third one comes. I don't know exactly what I do. But I land funnily, half-twist my waist, lose balance and fall on the road. Two boys playing football in a corner laugh heartily. I smile to myself and resume my walk with a slight limp that sorts itself out pretty soon.

But I have a feeling that the ball would have been perfect. Beaten the batsman in the flight. Go on with the arm. Hit him on the pads in front of off and middle. Appeal. The dreaded finger. LBW!