'Royal' Experience - Damien Martyn
Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:53:51 AM
The week in Jaipur has been fantastic. The Pink City as it's called is alive with the colour and energy that the IPL brings. From the hotel staff to people in the street, everyone is going crazy about the upcoming tournament. Our home base has been a fortress but nothing different from when I've been here with an international side. From outside the hotel to inside the grounds, there are police everywhere even to the extent that on each of our floors there are guards and scanners.
It is great to see from a piece of mind point of view but after a while, trying to get to your room is quite funny. The weekend was filled with training and practice games which went well.
But as with all camps the squad numbers had to be trimmed for the first leg to Mumbai and this is where it becomes difficult. For some of these kids, their life-long dream is to play in the IPL cricket series, let alone next to a superstar like Shane Warne. To be picked in the Rajasthan Royals' final playing roster would be a life-changing experience for them and their family.
Sometimes it is hard to understand but for those of us living in Australia, there are many ways to 'make it'. Over here there might be only a few chances. To see their passion and enthusiasm for the game and determination to do well is a great message for everyone.
So the captain, Mr Warne, had to sit the kids down and explain who was in and who had missed out a heart-wrenching moment for anyone and a tough job for the skipper.
But give him credit for the way he goes about it. These kids will be back next year bigger and better. It's been an intriguing week mixing with the local guys they know more about me then I do. For example, one player came up and said "Sir, do you remember me? I bowled at you in the nets in 2001 down at Goa."I smiled and said 'yes', as you do, then he thanked me so much as I had given him a pair of gloves that day nine years ago which he still uses to this day.
Such great stories go to show that when cricket touches people over here, it can have such a positive effect. Last night was busy with the launch of the home-and-away playing gear which is sponsored by Puma. All the boys were doing their best modeling walks some good, some bad but it was a great night and one to relax and wind down as we are now off to Mumbai for final preparations and the opening ceremony tomorrow.