India Wins a World Cup

 Not bad, and congratulations. But to put things in perspective, only around 12 countries regularly play cricket. Most cricket boards have no money these days. The rest of the world plays other games. I am not sure of the count, but Soccer (football for common Indians) might be a more popular game, by miles. Others too, I am sure.

I propose that we concentrate more on Golf. We already have a champ or two, like Aditi Ashok, who played Olympics twice, and came within a stroke of winning Bronze in her second Olympics. The men are not bad too, and make a mark from time to time. I know the joy of getting a Hole-in-one. It beats multiple world cup wins..

Or, we could promote Gilli-danda, our ethnic game, since we have the money. How about it? Every galli already has the equipment needed, and I am sure we can dominate the world, after teaching them how to. More inclusive, environment-friendly, and fun to play. I have played it when young. Marbles too.. no, I am not losing my marbles!

Games I Played

The swing, see-saw, and slide, not in that order, in childhood.

Marbles, without losing mine. Jhaad bandar, if you know what I mean.

Top, the spinning type bought in the village market. You had to string it. Skill involved in making it fly into your hand without touching the ground. Secondary skill was in picking it up from the ground on to your palm, still spinning. Also had a 'tick tock' noise-maker from the village fairs. And boats that run with balloon power.

Ice pais or its variants. Gilli-danda, though not too often.

Seven stones piled on each other, hit with a ball. Forget its name.

Hopscotch.

Table tennis. Badminton.

Cricket, volleyball, hockey. At school in Hyderabad.

Tennis, at Clemson, on seeing empty hard courts staring at us.

Golf, at Harihar, on seeing an 18-hole golf course around 500 metres from our house in the Kirloskar colony. Still do, when I can.