Tour de UK - signed off with a victory

I'm typing this from Dubai airport on my way back to Singapore from London. I need to kill 7 hours of transit time and there is no better way than a blog to share my experience in UK.

Exactly two weeks back i landed in heathrow at 2.30 pm eagerly waiting for my sister to pick me up soon so that i reach Leicester in time for Super 8 match between India and WI. As i reach home, my brother-in-law was waiting with Glenmorangie scotch to enjoy the match. Four hours later, Defending champions were thrashed by one man - Dwayne Bravo, arguably the most energetic cricketer in the world.

Two days later, me and my brother-in-law assembled in his friend Hakkim's house to enjoy the match in big screen (Courtesy: Projector). Remember, India were in a similar position in the T20 World cup 2 years back needing to win both against England and SA to qualify for semi-finals. All were going gaga over Yuvi's heriocs of Six 6s off Broad & hoping for a repeat, happily munching chips & puffs but little would we know Jadeja would walk in ahead of Yuvi? Men in Blue's campaign ended there and all my plans of getting big banners and carrying catchy logos to Trent Bridge against SA were gone.

June 16th - on my brother's birthday we (me, brother-in-law and Hakkim) headed to Trent Bridge. This is the first time i'm watching a International match live from ground. Trust me, it was an awesome experience and i enjoyed it fully though we lost again. Weather in britain is perfect for such outings. As a perk, we were shown on camera thrice in Sky Sports. First time, we were busy eating bonda's which my sister prepared. Second while waving 4 board for Mahela Jayawardene's boundary (we went for a double header - SL Vs NZL & IND Vs SA). And third time during India's match just before Smith & Gibbs taking the field. But over all T20 2009 was a bitter outing for India.

My brother blamed me for India's disastrous campaign. After i landed in UK, India lost 3 out of 3. I was desperately waiting for Caribbean tour to start to prove my brother wrong. And yeah its Yuvi again who saved me with his scintillating ton. My tour de UK thus signed off with a victory.

Much much more than cricket, i loved my stay in my sister's house. Charming kids, caring bava & my lovely sister. It was a dream come true and without any doubt my best overseas trip. I'm hoping for a reciprocal tour from them to Singapore in October when my parents are joining me. If that happens, none in this world would be happier than me.