24 August 1985

Fever Pitch

This was a long time back.. I was in Class 9 in Modern School, Vasant Vihar in Delhi

I used to play in this Football league called DIFL in delhi... was great fun.. the first organised tournament I ever played in... We had a match against another team and i just dont remember for the life of me who the other team were.

The night before the match, I had a 102 fever and there is no way I should have played the next day, but I did. Very little bravado, a lot of youthful stupidity.

Strangely, as it often happens, the adversity brings out the best in us. I was never a particularly good footballer but I played out of my skin that day and enjoyed myself so much.... scored the first goal within 16 seconds of the start. My friend Sidharth Yadav and I were the only 2 players on the pitch who touched the ball before I scored. It was an exhilarating feeling and one I will never forget in my life.

I was fortunate enough to score another one in the second half and we won 3-0.

I dont remember whether I fell ill after or felt worse... I do remember that one hour of exhilaration and ecstacy.... lesson learnt... enjoy the moment... you'll always remember the moment and not the aftermath!