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We have a thoroughly good lunch but, with regular messages coming in on the state of play at the Kotla, I decide against going for the last hour as India, requiring the biggest ever fourth innings total to win a Test at the Kotla, are no wickets down. By the time stumps |
| are drawn two wickets are down but this chase looks more than optimistic. Back near the hotel in Paschim Vihar, I do some shopping with Rajesh who, at my request, takes me to the Ayurvedic shop, where I am ushered in to see the GP and, being a complete hypochondriac, go to pieces when I see the stethoscope! I am asked what I have come for but cannot remember - it was some face packs as Christmas presents - and, try to resist any check-ups, have to have my pulse taken and then asked if I am diabetic. Am I? I worried all night not wanting to know the symptoms and am offered something for general good health, some massage oil - my choice - and some other pills - not my choice. |
WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER
I am up early but a combination of the heat, traffic and commuting leaves me exhausted at the end of the day. I go to the Kotla by metro and inevitably do not get a seat but, once there, I am waved through the strict security easily so my mobile 'phone, with which I hope to |
| take photos as cameras are banned, makes it safely though also. It becomes apparent after an hour that an Indian victory is likely and the main centre of attention is whether Tendulkar will reach his 100th international hundred. He makes it to 50, increases the tempo as I fear he may just, however unlikely, be left stranded around 90, then 75 and, just as we are getting cautiously optimistic, he is out for 76. A shame and some people immediately leave the ground. My eyes have really suffered today. Probably serves me right as my ticket only allows me into the lower West stand but I decide to try to get to the upper stand with superior views and do so easily without anyone checking my ticket. Indeed, the police who might have checked my ticket sit next to me and kindly allow me to partake of their drink and biscuits which was very nice. |
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Pg 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
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