Chapter 33: Chapter 33: To Pakistan
For the following fortnight, I underwent rigorous training and exceeded expectations. My outstanding performance earned me recognition and admiration from my team.
Despite being the youngest among them, I was highly esteemed and even received recognition in the form of praise from my team.
During my training, I formed close bonds with Sursh Raina and Yuvraj Singh. Despite their seniority, we hit it off instantly and spent a lot of time together. Their experience and wisdom added valuable insights to our conversations and friendship.
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni were already good friends, and through them, I was quickly welcomed into their inner circle. Yuvraj Singh, Raina, Dhoni, and I formed a tight-knit group of young players.
Being the youngest on the team came with its own challenges, including my fair share of manual labor. However, I saw it as an opportunity to prove my worth and make a positive impact. One of my responsibilities was assisting my teammates with stretching exercises.
I was tasked with helping the crew gather the balls and bats after each training session. Whether it was out of good will or to impress my teammates, it didn't matter to me. I saw it as a chance to demonstrate my work ethic and be a team player.
January 2nd was a landmark day for me as our team manager announced that we would be departing for Pakistan the next day. This was a thrilling moment for me as it marked my first international flight and first international match.
Unfortunately, I was not selected to play in the Test series. However, I was given the opportunity to make my international debut in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Pakistan.
That evening, my group decided to have a sleepover together. The excitement of my debut had me wide awake, and I didn't want to be the only one unable to sleep. So, I made the spontaneous decision to keep everyone up with me.
As the youngest member of the team, I was filled with excitement and nervousness as they prepared for their first international match against Pakistan. The night before the game, I joined Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and MS Dhoni for a sleepover to bond with the team.
As the night fell, I shared my excitement and nerves with the group regarding the highly anticipated match.
Suresh Raina reassured me with a smile, "Don't stress, we've all faced pre-match jitters at some point. The key is to embrace the moment, have fun, and play your natural game."
Yuvraj Singh added encouragement with a nod, "Exactly, if nerves set in, imagine you're playing in front of a packed stadium filled with your loved ones. Give it your best shot, and have fun out there!"
MS Dhoni offered sage advice, "Keep your focus on the process, not just the end result. Trust in the skills and preparation that got you here, and give it your all on the field."
Suresh Raina jokingly teased Dhoni, "Seriously Dhoni, enough with the wise words. Say something that actually makes sense."
Yuvraj Singh turned to Vipin with a grin, "Hey Vipin, do you know the secret behind Dhoni's unflappable demeanor on the field?"
I asked, intrigued, "Why?"
Yuvraj replied with a chuckle, "Because that's the only expression he's mastered!"
As the night progressed, I couldn't help but feel my confidence skyrocket. I felt at ease and ready to tackle the international stage with determination and a newfound sense of courage.
The following morning, we were the last to rise from our slumber and were immediately met with a stern lecture from Rahul Dravid. He scolded us for being careless and noted how our actions were having a negative impact on me as well. While I was given a pass, the three others received a wake-up call in the form of a heart-to-heart conversation.
"Paaji, it's time to go. How can people be so careless?" I quickly went out with Sachin Tendulkar. He simply chuckled and we made our way out. The whole walk to the airport, I could feel the weight of an icy gaze upon me, likely from the three individuals I had decided to part ways with.
After receiving some heavy-handed slaps disguised as friendly pats on the back from the three others, I was finally reunited with my group.
Our team arrived in Pakistan on Thursday evening, surrounded by tight security measures. As we stepped off the plane, we were greeted by the absence of any enthusiastic crowds at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.
In stark contrast to our last visit to Pakistan in 2004, there were no signs of excited crowds eagerly awaiting our arrival outside the airport building in the chilly weather. No officials brandishing banners or signs were there to greet us this time.
"We've deployed over 500 elite police officers and paramilitary forces to secure the airport and the route to the hotel," a high-ranking police officer informed us as our flight finally touched down after a three and a half hour delay.
The senior police officer added that six armored paramilitary vehicles, each loaded with a team of 12 heavily armed personnel, would clear the way for our bus to safely reach the hotel.
Barricades had also been erected at the entrance of the terminal to enable us and accompanying officials to quickly exit the building and board our bus without delay.
Upon arrival, we were missing four of our teammates: former captain Sourav Ganguly, vice-captain Virender Sehwag, veteran player Anil Kumble, and backup keeper Parthiv Patel. These players remained in India to fulfill their commitments in the Ranji Trophy and will be joining us on Saturday.
During our previous visit to Pakistan in 2004, we were successful in both the Test and one-day series, and now, we've returned with the goal of maintaining that winning streak, if all goes well.
Pakistan Officials strictly prohibited us from touring any places without prior approval and instructed us not to interact with the local population. Given the historical tension between India and Pakistan, this directive made sense. After two days of being confined in our hotel, we finally made our way to the Lahore stadium to kick off the Test series.
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