The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST-8

Much has been made of BossDK’s propensity to somehow end up denying BiggBosST a century. To be fair on DK, it has never been by intent and has only ever been some sort of nervous and clumsy incompetence popping up at just the wrong points .Sometimes it’s not even that. Sometimes it has been as inexplicable as perhaps just the stars happening to be aligned in a particular way! As the following incident illustrates.

We enter the ground when BossDK is batting on 30. BiggBosST at the non-strikers end has 94 of the usual best. Now, stung by aforesaid hullabaloo on the matter, DK has resolved to ensure at any cost that nothing silly happens. He has been extremely careful. Especially now that ST is in the 90’s. Not a single has been run that could not safely have been a two or a three. And no twos have been taken, let alone any threes. Today it’s nothing but solid caution and eminent good sense all the way through.

So here is DK now facing this left arm seamer. Just before this, DK and ST have had a mid pitch meet. ST has asked DK to continue in the same watchful vein. DK has nodded his assent. Their understanding is legendary.

The ball comes in, slightly over pitched around off and middle. And DK plays an exquisite straight drive. It’s so straight it could almost rival ST’s off-the-field reputation. You can hear the sound of it smack off the fleshy middle of the blade. It sounds like music from the heavens.

But not to ST’s ears.

Because what has happened is this: the ball has brushed the bowler’s arm on his follow through and gone on to hit the stumps like a tracer bullet. Leaving ST who had been an inch outside the crease with no time to get back in or even ground his bat. It’s all over and done with in a flash.

ST is run out on 94.

We leave the ground marvelling at the ways of life. Some of us turn to drink and some to religion but all of us agree that they are strange and unaccountable. DK, however, is unlikely to be philosophising. He is mentally sizing up the drinks trolley.

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The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST- 7

Continuing on from #6,not only has ST got a wonderful century but he has carried on from there. At the point where we come in now , he is on 195. However , the ninth wicket has fallen and he now needs to bat in the company of XX the no.11 . But XXX is injured and needs a runner.

And the runner, sadly for ST, is : yes, DK. Life has its dangerous ironies.

You and I can predict the eventual outcome and we see no point in labouring over the indelicate and painful details. For those still wanting to know, the summary is as follows :
XX Run Out 0 , BiggBosST Not Out 195.

When questioned later about the rather unusual run out, DK was very articulate. He regretted that in a day-dreamy moment , he had suffered a brief lapse of clarity and in that confused moment began to wonder why he had suddenly become the square leg umpire and why the batsmen were frantically waving at him. By the time he realised he was the runner it was too late. DK went on to state that in all fairness ,had he actually been the square leg umpire he would not have ruled that out. He also expressed relief that it was XX who had gotten out and not ST. ST, incidentally, was not available for comment. In fact, he was not available for anything as he had locked himself up in the dressing room where – or so rumour has it anyway - there was some violence inflicted on furniture.

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The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST- 6

This world has its surprises. The fact that BiggBosST has become apprehensive about having BossDK at the other end of a partnership is not one of them. That apprehension, though ,has come to impact ST's game and plans in rather surprising ways. As the following illustrates.

XX has just lost his wicket at the point where we come into the game. At the other end , ST - on a fine 90 - is less than pleased. For the next man is , yes ,DK whom ST - for understandable reasons - doesn't want in at this stage. He waves frantically at the pavilion to get them to change the order. To no avail . DK walks in with the usual air of brisk purpose that has endeared him to so many. He has a quick word with ST , brushes gloves - you are no doubt aware that their understanding is legendary - and walks across to take guard.

Then a strange thing happens. We see ST have a chat with the bowler YY . He seems to be saying something urgent , something serious , apparently trying to impress something of great importance upon him. YY looks increasingly more puzzled as he listens but nods in agreement at the end.

DK starts with a single off the first ball and this brings ST on strike to face YY. YY comes in , bowls . A bouncer , directed in line at the wicket , at a slightly uncomfortable height and , ooh , ST has ducked right into it ! Golly , that would have hurt. Indeed , it must have hurt. As ST has started walking towards the pavilion. Retired hurt. On the way out we seen him nod at YY in a sort of acknowledgement. What spirit , what character !

And the pavilion is where ST remains until the fall of DK's wicket. At which point , he walks back in , resumes his innings and goes on to complete a very fine hundred.

(To be continued)

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The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST - 5

They say statistics do not reveal everything. True. What the records certainly do not reveal is the fact that BossDK happens to be an extremely large-hearted and caring sort of a person. What he lacks by way of runs (and perhaps - or at least as ST will see it- safe partnerships) he makes up with empathy and selfless support for those around him. Sometimes with rather unusual consequences.

We come in at the point during a Day-Nighter when BossDK and BiggBosST are batting under the lights. ST has been playing another splendid gem and is now on 94. It's been a high adrenaline innings. XX bowls to him and ST gives him the charge. Bang ! There she goes , ST goes for his century with this audacious six , will he make it ?

The ball goes high,high,high up in the air. It's heading straight down fielder YY's throat at the boundary. But YY is unsighted by the lights ! Looks like he is going to spill it. That's sad for YY because he has been under tremendous pressure for his poor fielding. He will almost certainly be dropped from the side if he drops this one !

DK is aware of this and feels deeply for YY. Instinctively he starts hollering directions from the non-striker's end. " Run forward !" , "To the right now ! " , " some more !" , " Ye..ss !" and his guidance works to perfection,it being the only reason why YY takes that catch.

Dear Bored friend , we have a tragic scoreline here , viz : BiggBosST - c. YY b.XX 94

DK sinks to his knee and groans in agony as he realises what he has done. It is a feeling that will not leave him for some time to come. Then and there he resolves that he will make up for this.

The opportunity arrives at the next match.We come in again , by a happy coincidence (for this post) at a similar situation. ST is facing on 98 now. The ball is an excellent bouncer that takes ST by surprise. ST goes for the hook but ends up top edging it. The ball balloons up high in the air giving the keeper enough time to get under it. Looks like ST's gone there , it's a dolly !

DK grabs the opportunity to make amends. He starts shouting at the keeper to drop the catch. A hoarse "Drop that man ! Come on , you'll drop it anyway ,pal !" rings all around the stadium. And it works ! The distracted wicketkeeper spills that catch ! But. Big But.

So engrossed has DK been with this that he has completely missed ST setting off for a run while the ball is in the air. In fact , it still doesn't register when he finally notices ST midway down the pitch. He thinks ST's already walking and beckons to him to go back to the crease. "Its alright , he has dropped the catch, ST bhai !" , DK says gleefully without budging an inch. ST's reply is unprintable as he tries to scramble back but , ah , too late. The keeper's throw has dislodged the bails with ST inches out of the crease.

Dear Bored friend , the new scoreline is no less tragic , viz : BiggBosST - run out 98

You and I , dear Bored friend , empathize with the large hearted , caring and always-well-intentioned DK. That's a point of difference between ourselves and BiggBosST then.

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The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST – 4

It’s a minefield of a green top pitch. The batting side has had a disastrous start. At one point they were reeling at 10-5. BossDK and BiggBosST, however, have since steadied the ship to a considerable extent. BossDK has absorbed countless blows but has carried on with remarkable courage. No less than four times has ST proposed to DK that they refer the pitch to the umpires with a view to calling the game off but DK has refused. ST has been at his most masterly. Far from being in any sort of trouble , he is playing possibly one of the greatest innings of all time.

We come in at the point where ST is on 93 and facing the last ball of the 22nd over. DK is on a painstakingly compiled 13. The pitch seems to have evened out now and while still challenging is certainly fit for play.

21.6 XX to ST. FOUR ! Shot ! Short of a length ball , rises , gets big on ST but ST plays a controlled slash that goes over the slip cordon and is one bounce into the fence. Terrific stuff here ! ST goes to 97 with that boundary.

Brief mid pitch conference between overs. Batsmen punch hands. Their understanding is legendary.

22.1 YY to DK. Comedy ! Rank bad ball . Short ,wide and and asking to be hit. DK positions himself for the square cut but at the last moment slips awkwardly and falls face down.

Then the strangest thing happens. DK walks up to ST , hurriedly says something to him and without waiting for ST’s reply rushes to the umpires and the fielding captain and speaks very animatedly. Turns out he wants the match to be abandoned ! Which is strange because the wicket has surely improved and the previous ball was just DK’s own error rather than any devil in the pitch. ST , the fielding side , the umpires , even the match referee …they all speak to DK but DK looks adamant. Chaos and confusion reigns for 14-15 minutes before DK finally agrees to resume play.

22.2 YY to DK. Risky run ! Puts that away directly to the fielder at deep extra cover and dashes off for the run. ST has to complete it in a hurry and just about makes it. DK clearly wants to off strike but at what cost ?

Another mid pitch conference. ST talks briskly to DK , no doubt about that run. He seems to be telling DK to remain calm. DK nods vigorously. Their understanding is legendary.

22.3 YY to ST. OUT ! Bowled him ! Oh dear , oh dear, what was that ? The ball was pitched up nicely enough for a bread and butter cover drive. But at the precise moment of pitching , DK at the non-striker points sharply with his arm and shouts a loud “ Yes, see ,that’s the spot !” That distracts ST who is momentarily unsighted and is bowled clean through the gates.

Oh dear , here we go again : ST bowled YY - 97

ST’s expression as he walks out or DK’s post match explanation …we shall not go into those.

This post is hereby abandoned.

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The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST - 3

BiggBosST is batting on 98. BossDK is at the other end (naturally, or why else this post)

Mid pitch meeting. ST indicates to DK that there’s no hurry . They’d play it sensibly. DK nods. Their understanding is legendary.

The ball’s pitched up to ST nicely on the leg stump. ST turns it towards vacant square leg with a deft flick of the wrist. Easy two there, possibly even three, as they run the first one really hard.

Then a strange thing happens.

DK stops ST midway through the second run. “Congrats ST bhai, but is this your 27th or 28th test century”, he asks breathlessly

A stunned ST barely has time to growl a rapidfire “abey BossDK m******d paagal ho gaya hain kya!” while desperately trying to scramble towards safety.

Too late. It’s a direct hit.

ST is run out for 99.

He walks back to the pavilion in a rage, looking back only to glare at DK.

DK feels wants to dig a hole to bury himself in . How could he have made such a deadly mistake, he berates himself, everybody knows it would have been the 29th century, how could he have forgotten.

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The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST : 2

It's yet another BossDK and BiggBosST partnership.

The top order has collapsed but BiggBosST is single-handedly keeping hopes alive with a brilliant innings. BossDK on the other hand has been struggling. He is on 11 off 70-odd (and painstaking) deliveries and is clearly out of sorts. The shots elude him even while the asking rate's mounting. However , he has provided steady support by preserving his wicket. It's now down to ST to try and take their team to an improbable victory.

We come in at the point where that victory looks more improbable than ever.

33 runs are required to win off the last 2.2 overs. ST is on 91 , DK on 11.

47.5 : ST takes a quick single. Good , sensible cricket.

32 now required off 13 balls. All that fans hope for now is an ST century. If ST's genius produces a miracle , that'd only be a bonus .

47.6 : Nonsense cricket ! DK jabs at the ball and immediately dashes across the pitch, compelling ST to complete that risky and undesirable run.

So that's 31 needed from 12. ST is on 92 , DK on 12 and on strike. The best bowler XX (match figures 7-1-17-5 ) brought on to bowl now. DK has to ensure that ST gets strike immediately. ST signals to DK , pointing out gaps for a quick single. DK nods vigorously.

Their understanding is legendary.

And then this is how the 49th over unfolds.

48. 1 : XX to DK. SIX !

48. 2 : XX to DK. SIX !

48. 3 : XX to DK. SIX !
48. 4 : XX to DK. SIX !

48. 5 : XX to DK. SIX !

48. 6 : XX to DK. SIX !

DK has scored the most shocking 48* in cricket history. And their team have won with an over to spare !!!

Man of the Match BiggBosST finishes with an unbeaten 92*

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The continuing saga of BossDK and BiggBosST : 1

This is the first in a series of stories centered around the famous cricketing duo of BossDK and BiggBosST whose partnerships are the stuff of legend and folklore.


BiggBosST (ST) is on 99. BossDK (DK) is at the non-striker end. ST signals to DK to be prepared for a quick single off the next ball. DK nods in agreement. Their understanding is legendary.

ST takes guard. Faces up. Bowler runs in. Bowls.

Ball moves sharply back at ST and raps him on the pads. Hmm , looks close.

Loud appeal from fielding side. But it's turned down.

And then suddenly there is mega large scale commotion. A most peculiar incident has unfolded.

The non-striker - DK , yes ! - has refered the decision.

TV umpire upholds the appeal. ST has to walk back to the pavilion.

A despondent DK buries his head deep in his hands. Or, going by his keeping earlier that day, its probably his hands he has buried deep in his head.

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