Australia tour of India 2013- 2nd Test, Day 3

To know what happened with me in the match yesterday, click here

Yesterday i had to watch the match on a bright sunny day without any shed facility on the stands for around 9 hours. The skins were showing some signs of that. Another such day was unbearable for me. Being an office day, i was dressed up and left home on time. On the way, i saw some of my friends were preparing to go to watch the match. Don't know why, my foot moves stopped. They asked me to go to watch with them. They have the legal tickets but i don't have. But one of my friends got the Black ticket easily yesterday. So finally i decided to apply a one day casual leave in office and go to watch the match with them.

When i reached the venue, it was already 9:35 am. I have to buy a black ticket asap. I approached a policeman to ask that where is e-Seva center here? He asked me that "Do you want a ticket? I have a ticket. I got it free and it is of AC luxury room." I asked him that "How much money will you take for this ticket?" I was expecting that he will charge me around Rs. 1000. He replied that "if you buy this ticket at e-Seva center, this ticket will cost you Rs. 500 but i am ready to give this ticket if you give me money for Chai and Cigarette." I asked him that "Tell me, Exactly how much you want." He replied that "Rs. 100 for Chai and Rs.50 for Cigarette". I overwhelmed with joy as i didn't expect such a cheap ticket. I gave him Rs.160, took the ticket and ran hard towards the stadium. I had taken umbrella to protect myself on bright sunny day but gatekeeper didn't allow it to take it inside. I threw the umbrella and ran hard inside the stadium. I saw the scoreboard. Only 3 overs had been bowled till then and Vijay and Pujara were still on the crease. God of cricket is yet to come on the field.

Crowd were making chants of "We want sachin" and "Common Aussies. Get a wicket". Unlike yesterday morning, Vijay and Pujara were playing strokes today. Sooner Vijay completed his 1st 150 of test career. A sigh of relief was reflected from his face but he had to carry on and make it count. After some time, Pujara completed his 1000 test runs. It was his 11th test and 18th innings. This is 2nd fastest for India. Fastest player to reach is Vinod Kambali in just 14 innings. Both together surpassed the best 2nd wicket partnership for India. Crowd continued making chants of "We want sachin" and "Common Aussies. Get a Wicket". Finally the debutante Glenn Maxwel got the wicket of Vijay. Pujara came from the non-striker end and congratulated him again for this great knock.

But the Crowd reawaken and started hooting extremely as the screen displays "Keep Silence! God is coming". A few posters about him from the spectators was displayed on the screen. His huge fan who watch his every match was displayed on screen. Then sachin came. He was looking like a U-19 player or a guy who may be studying in his 5th standard. His test career was displayed on the screen. OMG, such a terrific CV. Everyone will love to have resume like him. 196 match, 323 innings, 33 not out, 15746 runs, 248* highest, 54.29 average, 51 centuries and 67 half-centuries. He came to the crease and did his traditional warm up and exercises. Then as usual he turned towards square leg, the crowd went high in hooting. Then he turn back to return to crease but now he was facing backward point. Again the crow goes high in hooting. Crowd started chanting of "Common Sachin, we want a 100" even before he started his innings. First ball of Maxwell he faced, he simply defended, but the crowd went high in hooting. I never seen such noise level ever in my life. I am sure the noise level of the world had been increased by a considerable margin at that time.

Sooner Pujara completed his 200. Sachin was on non-striker end. He turned right to see the mid-wicket fielder probably where he is but the crowd thought he was seeing them and went up high in hooting. Then he turned back to see the cover fielder probably and again crowd went up high in hooting. Then he turned towards the bowler but the crowd in the long-off and long-on region thought that he was seeing them and they also went up high in hooting. Pujara got out on 204. A great knock indeed. He got a standing ovation from the crowd. My current favorite player Kohli comes in, started with a 4 towards Cover region. Meanwhile sachin took a single. In fact every delivery which sachin faced, the crowd was hooting extremely. After some time, Lunch was declared.

Again today Heyden with another Aussies came to the ground. The crowd went high in hooting. They replied with a hi5. They came to show how to bat on this wicket for a TV channel. Meanwhile Aussies players who were on bench for this test match started fielding practice. They were much-much better than as Indian players who were on bench for this test and practiced yesterday.

After lunch, the match resumed at its scheduled time. Sachin was around 10-15 minutes on the field. He turn towards the crowd around 10 times and surely the noise level of the world had been increased each time by a considerable margin. He started with a bang hitting a 4 in backward point region. But sooner he got out on 7 glancing a ball to wicket keeper's gloves.

The crowd gave a standing ovation to the great man. Some were making chants of "Pattinson.. Potty kha" as he was the reason why they were not able to watch their favorite for much time. Then the captain of team India and the man with golden luck Dhoni came in. The crowd went up high again in hooting. Dhoni started with 3 back to back 4s against Doherty. He was playing well and giving full entertainment to the crowd. They even forget that sachin was just out. But he got out by a foolish shot lofting a ball straight to mid-off. Then all the batsman who followed him got out on foolish shots and gifted their wickets to Aussies. They destroyed the benefit created by Vijay and Pujara. India was all out on 503. A lead of 266. It should have been better.

Any way its tea time now. Navjot singh Siddhu and Ramiz Raza came in the ground to do discussions on the proceedings for a TV channel. The crowd started chants of "oye paji... oye siddhu paji.. o balle o balle." Siddhu as usual replied in his own style, coming down the track and lofting the ball for a six. The crowd went high in hooting. After some time, Ishant came first and started bowling practice. Then Bhuvi followed him. Then Vijay and Dhwan (in place of injured Pujara) came and they started fielding and catching practice for short leg position with fielding coach. Then comes Dhoni with all the team.

Team India spread in the field. Sachin went to mid on. The crowd started chants of "Sachin.. Sachin.." and "Sachin.. We love you." Sachin replied with a hi5. Australia's 2nd inning began. Warner started with 3 fours of Ashwin's 1st over. Bhuvi was luckless as Kohli dropped the catch of warner and Dhoni dropped the catch of Cown. The crowd made chants of "Sehwag.. Sehwag" and he replied with both hands up. Then the crowd made Kohli as the next target and started chanting "Kohli... Kohli". He also replied once by a hi5 and second time by one hand up. Dhoni was the next target for the crowd. Ishant, Bhuvi and Bhajji who were fielding at the boundary line also received hooting for them. Meanwhile the openers completed 50 run partnership. The crowd became silent for some time as wickets were not coming.

Sachin knows how to reawaken the crowd. He gave a hi5 to the crowd again from mid on. The crowd went high in hooting. He turn back continuously after each balls of that Bhajji's over. The crowd's hooting multiplied by 2 or 3 times each time. Meanwhile Ashwin changed the angle. It paid as he bowled Warner and then Hughes (for duck) behind their legs. Watson came. He hit a straight six to ashwin to release the pressure. Then they defended the rest overs of play so that they don't loose any more wickets that day.

Team India started their way to the dressing room. Sachin was on mid on as usual. So he lead the team to the dressing room. The crowd started chants of "we love you sachin... Sachin, love you.. Please don't retire." My dream of seeing the God of cricket live was completed and i came back to my home happily.

Waiting for the next match at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad which is of IPL-6 and will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sahara Pune Worriers. Hopefully i will complete another wish of seeing DADA live in case he chooses to be the mentor of Sahara Pune Worriers.

Australia tour of India 2013- 2nd Test, Day 2

From the time i read in the newspaper that BCCI confirmed that the venue for the 2nd test will not be changed in spite of Hyderabad facing a bomb blast just 2 weeks ago, i decided that i will watch this match at least a day out of five. I searched the calender. Sunday was falling on 2nd day of the test match. I was eagerly waiting for the ticket to come in the market or online. But as soon as ticket came in the market, all tickets of Sunday was sold within few hours. When i went to market to buy tickets after completing the duty at office, there was no ticket left for Sunday. It was extremely disappointing.

On Saturday evening, I got a call from my friend that his senior had sold 3 tickets to him and he offered me to go with him to watch the match. I was extremely overjoyed. I quickly finished weekly tasks which i used to do on Sunday. I used to wake up around 6:30 am normally and around 9:30 am on Sunday but on this Sunday i woke up at 5:58 am, i called my friend to be ready quickly. We took the breakfast outside and booked an auto for the stadium. We reached there around 8:15 am. We went there with our mobile. But the gate men were not allowing anythings even food stuff to bring inside the stadium. It because of the bomb blast 2 week ago in Dilsukhnagar. We decided that one of us will go back, put the mobiles and other stuff at home and then will come back.

As we entered the stadium around 8:40 am, team India was doing morning warm up. Some of them were playing football and if i was right, Vijay and Sehwag was doing batting practice since they had to come soon to bat. I saw Ashwin first who was holding the football at that time, then a player who came near him and caught the football, ran for some distance. He was my current favorite player Kohli. Then he passed the football to another player. OMG, this is Dhoni. The crowd went up in hooting seeing the captain of India. Look, how fast he is running with the football. Dhawan chased him unsuccessfully and Dhoni scored a goal. The goal keeper was Bhajji and he hardly moves or tries to stop the goal. Then Bhajji kicked the ball to jadeja, he ran for some distance and passed it to pujara/rahane (not sure) and he kicked the football for a goal but Kohli came in batween, stop th football and passed it to Bhuvi. The goalkeeper Ishant hardly moved. Kohli wore shoes of unique color. It was Surapankhi. He was easily recognizable in all. The god of cricket Sachin was not seen in the warm up though. Then Pujara padded up and did some batting practice.
Aussies players were also doing warm up on the other end.

At 9:30 am, the players dressed up in their uniform and came to the field. There was a 2 minute for bomb blast victims. Match stated soon. Vijay sliced a short delivery of Pattinson for 4. Sehwag didn't survive the demanding initial phase of the day and was out soon adding just 2 more runs. Then Pujara came in the crease and started with a bang towards point region for a 4. I was sure that at least Vijay will out soon and i was going to watch the God today. But both players batted very defensively as team India made just 37 runs before lunch session. It was very boring to watch that session. Lunch was declared at its scheduled time.

Heyden with another Aussies came to the ground. The crowd went high in hooting. They replied with a hi5.
They came to show how to bat on this wicket for a TV channel. Meanwhile Indian players who were on the bench for this test match came in the field to do fielding practice with fielding coach. The crowd went high in hooting again. Except Rahane who took all the catches, all others like Dinda and Dhawan were not fielding well.

After lunch, Both the batsman started playing shots, Pujara in particular. Vijay first completed 50 then Pujara followed him. Pujara started displaying his wide range of classical shots. The crowd were doing chants of "We want sachin", "Common Pattinson, get a wicket". Sometime when any bowler appeals for a wicket, crowd support them so that a wicket fell and GOD came to bat. There was a moment when the crowd at each stand hooted alternately for around 20-25 rounds. The activity was just to stand up for 1 second and lift the hands up towards the sky. The funniest one was "Watson : Bowling?". Actually in spite of being wise-captain, captain clarke send watson to third man boundary. The crowd started teasing him by chanting "Watson : Bowling?" "Watson : Bowling?". Its tea time now- Vijay and Pujara still on the crease and both are playing on 73.

Local boy VVS Laxman and Ramiz Raza came in the ground to do discussions on the proceedings for a TV channel. The crowd went high in hooting. Laxman replied with a hi5. After tea , Pujara became more aggressive and completed his 100. After some time Vijay also completed his 100. A sigh of relies for him as his place in the team was being questioned. Both batsmen were batting brilliantly. Time was not left much.
Crowd started chants of "We want sachin" and "Common Pattinson, get a wicket". But Pujara and Vijay played brilliantly. Pujara completed 150 soon. Before some 4-5 overs left for the day, my friends left the stadium as even if a wicket will fall at this stage, a night watchman like Ishant will come to bat. But i didn't loose the hope. I said i will see the god in evening warm up. The day ended with Pujara and vijay still on the crease. Probably the dream of seeing god remianed a dream for me.

But the crowd didn't go back to home after completion of match. They started chants of "We want sachin" "We want sachin" "We want sachin". Evening warm up starts. Kohli, Dhoni followed Bhuvi and Bhajji came but sachin didn't. Dhoni gave the hint to go back. Then the police started sending people out of the stadium by force. I was extremely disappointed. I sat for around 9 hours in a bright sunny day just to see the GOD of cricket but probably real god had some other plans.


Click here to know what happened with me on the next day.

Life @ ILP

My ILP Center

ILP which stands for Initial Learning Program, is a training program for about 3 months (precisely 60 working days), which every fresher has to undergo upon joining TCS. I joined TCS on 18th June. Before sharing my experience, I would like to let you know that my ILP center was in Trivandrum, Kerala. Many of my college mates had to go to Pune for doing this training and some were in Trivandrum too. So, as you would have already guessed, we were divided into two groups by the TCS.

First Day : Feel of being an employee for the first time in my life

When i reached there, a soothing and cool weather was welcoming me. We were given accommodation in a hotel named B.G.Plaza. At last the day arrived. We were informed to report at 8:30 am at TCS office. On the very first day, I was very-very excited and a bit tensed too. A “Suresh” bus (very famously called TCS bus there) came to pick up. We went there around 8:15 am. Upon reaching there i saw many people like me were waiting outside the gate, more were coming. There were mostly unknown faces. We were instructed to come inside the gate one by one with a valid ID proof and TCS offer letter. Then we were seated in an auditorium room for introduction. First day went doing the paper works which is necessary for new joiners. I was feeling very happy now because I was an employee now.

Second Day : the PAT test

On the second day, PAT test was waiting for us. Fortunately i came 2nd among around 300 plus people and thus got stream and base branch of my choice – JAVA/J2EE and Bangalore. Actually Aspire test results also helped in this as i had scored 100% in all tests. Again fortunately for me, I was in T15 learning group with 6 of my college mates. From next day onwards no more boring videos and actual training was going to be started and shift timing was from 02:00 p.m.to 09:00 pm.


the Dress Code

Monday to Thursday was formal day (u have to wear formal shirt and trouser), Friday was casual day (u can wear jeans and collared t-shirt) and Wednesday was the Tie day (everyone must wear tie that day). No work on Saturday and Sunday. Yuppie!!! We used to enjoy these two days most in ILP. This was the time to explore Kerala actually.

Third day onwards : Actual training starts

Our actual training started from the third day. First session was of bizzSkill. Actually in ILP there was a dedicated session every day to improve employee’s soft skill. A lady named Shantha KTS came and welcomed us in TCS. One thing I must say she was very-very beautiful. There was a surprise extempore. A team of two people was formed and each team had to choose two topics but lastly one had to speak on his partner’s topic. I was very bad in soft skill but probably my soft skill was going to be improved slowly but steadily. In the break I met with my group mates. Excluding my college mates in them, mostly were from Hyderabad.

In the very next session, JAVA/J2EE stream head came and discussed how our technical classes were going to be throughout the training period. Then our tech lead Jini Ranjan came and started the technical course. We talked with each other throughout the day in a 4 wall bounded room and time to time mam came and taught us. I told my friends, who were yet to join till then, how we face the problems. Believe me i seemed like being in captivity. The only difference was that i was getting a salary at the end of the month. That time security guards were very strict on us. If we did any kind of small mistake we were picked up and taken to the Admin. Also it was the time when we came out from college platform to office (famously called campus to corporate transformation in private companies).

Days went by, slowly and gradually. After some days, training started properly. I enjoyed especially the bizzSkill part because of Shantha only. Chart paper assignments , writing your own profile,doing your SWOT(Strength , Weakness , Opportunity and threat) analysis, few presentations , more extempore were there. She taught also how to write an effective email (written communication) , how to talk on telephone (verbal communication), how to wear a tie and most importantly what to do for a groomed facial expression every time Few role plays were there like how to meet your new boss in a party who just joined , how to meet an employee from a customer organization, how to receive a friend of your best friend working in US at airport , scolding restaurant manager for dirty food etc. We had to maintain the learning log (what you learnt on the particular day and what you can do on the basis of that knowledge just like diary writing) and time sheet entry (for how much hour you worked on a particular day - obviously it was for our salary) daily. I was smart in doing these tasks as i am considered to be a punctual and sincere guy since school days.

fear of Remedial and LAP throughout

If you are thinking that you will be able to complete the training casually without any hard work then sorry you have chosen the wrong company. The techLead after covering the topics day by day takes tests in the regular interval but the good thing is he/she will inform you about these tests probably one or two days ago. But the most dangerous is the remedial test and LAP. After the completion of technical classes for about 10 days there is a chances of surprise tests anytime. Some 8-10 people will be selected from your batch randomly and in the test if will not perform up to a certain level then you will be pushed into remedial category and in that case you have to devote extra time with your techLead to improve your technical skill. Generally there are 3-4 surprise remedial test in the ILP but the most dangerous was the last which happened normally on 55th working day if i am not wrong. If you will not perform up to a certain level in this test then your ILP stay will be extended to 10 more days so that your technical skill gets improved. Again you have to work hard on your technical topics with your techLead. This is called LAP condition.

the Project work

After some days we were divided into group of 5/6 people for doing a project. Normally the batch is divided into 6 groups. These 6 groups is further divided into 2 teams consisting of 3 groups each. Common project is given to both teams and the project is divided into three modules say 1 , 2 and 3. If group A in team 1 is doing the implementation of module 1 then he will do testing of module 2 and maintenance of module 3. Fortunately I got the best group of working people. We needed to give some presentation about the development status of the project and some bizzSkill presentation in between. Soft skill classes rather mam’s face was refreshing me after 3 technical classes (as we have 3 technical class and one soft skill class every day). We enjoyed each and every moment day by day. We celebrated friend’s birthday with the group in the canteen. We used to take lunch, snacks and dinner together. We were more like a family those days.

Fit4Life : the best part

TCS has a nice program called Fit4Life. Skilled trainers take care of your body. You have to do some running and stretching of muscles. For every kilometer you run, TCS donates 10 rupees to charity. I was glad that I am also donating to charity indirectly now added to improvement in my physical health.

the Release

Last few days were some happy or sad moments for us. We share our experience, friend’s nature in diary. There was a closing ceremony at auditorium for releasing us. There were heart touching songs, some stunning dance performances and some comedy scripts performed by our friends. Then at Thejaswini restaurant we conducted our farewell with our tech lead. Some of my friend sang some songs. But it would not have been complete if our tech lead had not sung the song…. (I forgot the lyrics actually). The way she sang was truly awesome. We all gave a standing ovation for this performance. Lastly it would be unfair if I don’t say the commendable job by our CR for guiding us and helped us when we needed. I still miss our CR Shastry’s famous dialogue “Guys, I have an announcement to make…"

NOTE: - This is what will happen with you in ILP when you will join TCS normally. Last paragraph things were not happened with me as I already resigned TCS till then due to my personal reasons.


Few things I would like to share, there is no leave allowed in TCS during ILP. Maximum you can avail sick leave without permission but after then you have to apply for sick leave with some hearings from Admin and HR. If you are absent for two consecutive days you have to give medical certificate also. Most importantly if you are absent for three consecutive days your learning group will be changed to the learning group of same stream which is following your group there. Yes, you are guessing right. This happened with me. If you read few more blogs of mine, you will come to know what exactly happened with me.



Hope you like this blog. Share it with TCSers who are going to join.