Jono
Virat Kohli (c)
Hey guys, today has to be on the greatest days of my life. My dad's good friend knows Laxman, Balaji and Badani and so I was able to be allowed to go to the MCG on the ground and watch the Indian cricket team as well as meet them. 
I just arrived back from the MCG about an hour ago.
I was allowed to take most of the day off school and was picked up at 11 am to the MCG. When we arrived on the ground it was about 11:50 and pretty much the whole Indian cricket team were there. I took plenty of photos while standing there in awe watching my favourite cricket players that I had once only been able to see on my TV and in the seats at a cricket ground. I can't describe the feeling, it was awesome.
Along with Sachin, Rahul, Laxman, Pathan and the other Indian players was a surprise. Javagal Srinath was there bowling to the batsman in the nets. It was great to see him close up after the many years he had entertained me on TV.
Suddenly all the photographers and news reporters who were on the ground (funny enough they couldn't cross a line which I could :P) gathered together and so I turned around. I then saw that Ganguly was in the middle of them all, and was about to be interviewed. The cameras and microphones were all around him. I listened to what they asked him about. Questions came up regarding tomorrow's first final, and whether any history between India and Australia playing important matches would be in the Indian players' minds. Ganguly replied saying something about how well India have played on this tour compared to previous ones, and how tomorrow is a new game and the past is the past. One reporter asked him if Kumble was going to play, or how he was recovering. Ganguly said that Kumble was bowling in the nets for the first time in a while but I was unable to hear the rest of his sentence. The World XI vs. The Best game was brought up, and Ganguly said positive things about that match saying it would gather interest and many would enjoy the game, however he was also asked if too much cricket was being played. He said that was the only problem with matches like this, whether they can fit it in considering how much cricket international players play these days. Australians and maybe Indians will probably be able to hear/see this interview later tonight, Aussies watch Sports Tonight, I'm guessing it'll be on that.
After that I approached Laxman who was complementing Pathan's batting laughing, as in the nets Pathan had been smashing the bowlers. Laxman seems to be a very very nice guy. He was so polite and I managed to shake his hand and he signed my bat (I brought it to be signed
) as well as other signings for my dad's friends. I then got a photo with him which was so awesome. Little did I know it would get better.
After Sachin had finished his batting in the nets for the day he was walking back and we approached him asking for his signature. It was surreal to just be in his presence. Shaking Laxman's hand was amazing enough, but being in the presence of Sachin was indescribable. He also signed my bat and managed to get a photo with him which was great. I also managed to get Rahul Dravid to sign my bat and get a photo with him as well, just being able to meet these 3 fantastic cricketers made my day. I was also able to get Kumble, Balaji, Pathan and Srinath’s signature. It was extremely hot but I didn’t even notice until I got home how tired I was because for the 2 hours I was at the ground, I was so excited.
I’ve got plenty of photos which I will upload and post once I get them on to my computer. Right now I'm still in shock that I have met these cricketers which I have idolised for many years. Overall it was just a wonderful day, and to top it off I will be going to the first final at the MCG tomorrow. I’m sure that will be a great match and I can’t wait.
I just arrived back from the MCG about an hour ago.I was allowed to take most of the day off school and was picked up at 11 am to the MCG. When we arrived on the ground it was about 11:50 and pretty much the whole Indian cricket team were there. I took plenty of photos while standing there in awe watching my favourite cricket players that I had once only been able to see on my TV and in the seats at a cricket ground. I can't describe the feeling, it was awesome.
Along with Sachin, Rahul, Laxman, Pathan and the other Indian players was a surprise. Javagal Srinath was there bowling to the batsman in the nets. It was great to see him close up after the many years he had entertained me on TV.
Suddenly all the photographers and news reporters who were on the ground (funny enough they couldn't cross a line which I could :P) gathered together and so I turned around. I then saw that Ganguly was in the middle of them all, and was about to be interviewed. The cameras and microphones were all around him. I listened to what they asked him about. Questions came up regarding tomorrow's first final, and whether any history between India and Australia playing important matches would be in the Indian players' minds. Ganguly replied saying something about how well India have played on this tour compared to previous ones, and how tomorrow is a new game and the past is the past. One reporter asked him if Kumble was going to play, or how he was recovering. Ganguly said that Kumble was bowling in the nets for the first time in a while but I was unable to hear the rest of his sentence. The World XI vs. The Best game was brought up, and Ganguly said positive things about that match saying it would gather interest and many would enjoy the game, however he was also asked if too much cricket was being played. He said that was the only problem with matches like this, whether they can fit it in considering how much cricket international players play these days. Australians and maybe Indians will probably be able to hear/see this interview later tonight, Aussies watch Sports Tonight, I'm guessing it'll be on that.
After that I approached Laxman who was complementing Pathan's batting laughing, as in the nets Pathan had been smashing the bowlers. Laxman seems to be a very very nice guy. He was so polite and I managed to shake his hand and he signed my bat (I brought it to be signed
) as well as other signings for my dad's friends. I then got a photo with him which was so awesome. Little did I know it would get better.After Sachin had finished his batting in the nets for the day he was walking back and we approached him asking for his signature. It was surreal to just be in his presence. Shaking Laxman's hand was amazing enough, but being in the presence of Sachin was indescribable. He also signed my bat and managed to get a photo with him which was great.
I also managed to get Rahul Dravid to sign my bat and get a photo with him as well, just being able to meet these 3 fantastic cricketers made my day. I was also able to get Kumble, Balaji, Pathan and Srinath’s signature. It was extremely hot but I didn’t even notice until I got home how tired I was because for the 2 hours I was at the ground, I was so excited.I’ve got plenty of photos which I will upload and post once I get them on to my computer. Right now I'm still in shock that I have met these cricketers which I have idolised for many years. Overall it was just a wonderful day, and to top it off I will be going to the first final at the MCG tomorrow. I’m sure that will be a great match and I can’t wait.
