CHAPTER- 4: Little dreams, Big plans.
At just three years old, Rana Singh was already brimming with dreams of cricket glory. Today was his first day of preschool at Delhi Public School in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. The classroom was bright and inviting, buzzing with laughter and chatter, but Rana's mind was already on the cricket field.
His mother, Ravita, held his hand as they walked through the school's lively hallways, decorated with colorful posters of animals, letters, and numbers. They arrived at his classroom, and as his teacher, Miss Anjali, greeted him warmly, Rana took in the sight of new faces, toys, and the busy energy around him. He gave a polite smile, but his heart was elsewhere.
Miss Anjali gathered the children on a carpet decorated with animals and alphabets, leading them in a cheerful rhyme. The children sang along, clapping and twirling in time with the words. Rana joined in, though his mind drifted to cricket, imagining how each action—clapping, jumping, twirling—might somehow help his game.
As they moved to alphabet time, Miss Anjali held up flashcards with letters and pictures. "A is for Apple," she sang out, and the children repeated in chorus. But when "B is for Ball" came up, Rana perked up, gripping an imaginary bat and mimicking a swing in his seat, already daydreaming about hitting sixes.
Next, during coloring time, Miss Anjali handed out sheets with different shapes to color. As he picked a blue crayon for the circle, he imagined it as a cricket ball, carefully filling it in with extra attention.
During story time, Miss Anjali read aloud about a little train with big dreams of climbing a steep hill. Rana listened intently, drawn to the determined train's journey, feeling a strange connection to its willpower.
Like the train, he sensed that achieving his dreams would mean pushing through challenges—and that made him even more eager to get home and pick up his bat.
Finally, it was time for outdoor play, the part of the day Rana was most excited about. Outside, he spotted a collection of play equipment, and there, lying in a small stash of toys, was a plastic bat and ball. He couldn't believe his luck! He ran over, gripping the bat and practicing a few swings, picturing himself on a cricket field.
His classmates noticed and started to gather, some joining in as he hit the ball toward them. Their cheers made him feel like a real cricketer, and this moment became his favorite part of the day. Rana already imagined himself practicing every day, and the thought of sharing this with his father that evening filled him with pride.
When school ended, he ran to his mother, smiling widely. The day had been full of new routines, new faces, and even a few new friends from the playground game, but what he loved most was that small spark of excitement that made him feel he was a step closer to becoming the cricket player he wanted to be.
At home, Rana's resolve deepened. As the days passed, he began settling into the rhythm of school, finding a balance between preschool activities and his passion for cricket.
His father, Rudra, started noticing his quiet determination and would join him in the backyard after school. They practiced together, Rudra guiding him with tips on his grip and stance. He felt a surge of pride as he watched Rana practice, his young face filled with focus and enthusiasm.
Evenings became a special time for the family. After the sun set, everyone gathered in the cozy living room to unwind. Ravita prepared tea, the smell filling the air, and though she wasn't as passionate about cricket as her husband and son, she enjoyed how these moments brought them all together.
Rudra would turn into a commentator, explaining each play and sharing stories from past games. Rana listened with wide eyes, captivated, replaying each story in his mind. To him, cricket was more than just a game; it was a dream, a connection to his father, and a vision of something bigger.
One evening, as they settled in for a much-anticipated match, Rudra leaned over to him with a sparkle in his eye. "Tonight's a special one. India versus England, 1990. Keep your eyes on Sachin Tendulkar."
Rana's eyes lit up at the mention of Sachin. He'd heard so much about this young star. As they watched, Sachin scored his first century, and Rana was mesmerized by the confidence in every shot. If Sachin could do it at such a young age, maybe he could too, he thought, filled with a rush of motivation.
Over the next year, he watched every match with his father, soaking up each play, each run, each wicket. India's matches with Australia in 1991 became their evening ritual, with Rudra pointing out the strengths and styles of each player, helping Rana understand the game's nuances.
When the 1992 Cricket World Cup arrived, the excitement in their home was almost tangible. India didn't win many matches, but to Rana, every moment was thrilling. Sachin remained his hero, and he studied his moves, imagining himself on the field with each play.
It was during the Hero Cup in 1993, though, that Rana felt the real power of the game. In the final over against South Africa, Sachin bowled with unshakable focus, sealing India's victory in a tense finish. The room was filled with cheers, and Rudra explained how Sachin's calm and courage had turned the game around. In that moment, Rana knew he wanted to play like that—steady, strong, and fearless.
Each game he watched only fueled his dedication. He practiced in the backyard with renewed energy, picturing himself hitting boundaries and fielding like his heroes.
At school, he put in effort, but his mind always drifted back to the field, where he felt most alive. Rudra, always there to guide and encourage him, shared stories of other cricket legends, while Ravita, though not as interested in the sport, supported their shared passion with a quiet pride.
Through these moments—whether in the backyard with his father or in the living room with his family—Rana's childhood became something special, shaped by both love and purpose. Each swing of the bat brought him closer to his dreams. Though he was still just a boy, he felt a growing pride in the journey he was beginning, and the dreams he held close.