Its official: I'm old

Last night, I received the latest yet strongest signal that I'm officially old. O.L.D. Yes, I've been trying to snip the odd grey hair or three. And I'm guilty of listening to (nothing but) Ilayaraja and I have just got a handle on what Whatsapp really is. But if they were all warning bells, including being referred to as "Uncle" by kids, as opposed to the much preferred "anna", I received the clarion confirmation last night.

Armed with a cold, beer, I felt compelled to watch, on youtube, the highlights of the memorable India-Australia test at Kolkata from 2001 March. Or as most Indian cricket fans would call it, the test.

14 years and change. One of those test matches that can still make you travel back in time and relive the past. The one from which you remember every minor detail. Where were you when the last wicket fell on day 5, what were you doing that very moment, who were you watching it with, the weather, the menu that day. Just typing this gives me goosebumps. 

My son was watching it along with me this time and asked a few questions about the game in general (ippo four-a?, idhu outa? why? out-na time out maadhiriya? kadhava saathiduvala illa opena irukkuma?), about that particular test (Appa, nee chinna paiyana irukkarchappo paathiya indha match-a? *sniff*) and the principal actors (ivan peru enna? avan yen gudhikkaran?). 

After the about 45 minute clip ended (the beer had ended a bit earlier), he brought out an empty 1.5L water bottle (that is nearly half as tall as he is) for a bat and fished out his blue ball and asked me to bowl to him. In the living room. And I obliged. I mean, I had to. Even though it is well documented that my post-alcohol bowling skills are reduced to the same level as a sober Venkatapathy Raju's. Seriously, what was he doing in that XI? Anyways, the kid had a few knocks till my wife spoiled the party reminded that it was past his bed time. 

Note to self: Buy a small cricket bat on the next trip to India. And coach the kid to hit it in the "V" along the ground rather than hoick it over midwicket. Screw T20! IPL be damned! Put a price on your wicket, see off the goddamned new ball...

As I said, this uncle is old.