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At a time when the Indian society is getting heavily polarized and the camaraderie between communities is being eroded, there are still a few stories which transcend man-made barriers and rise like the phoenix giving hope that all is still not lost and there will be a better future.
When Harmanpreet Kaur’s girls lifted their maiden ODI World Cup title, it was a euphoric moment for Indian women. It was a long-awaited joy but when it happened it left tears in its wake. There were several heroes like Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepthi Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh and Shree Charani to name a few but the biggest takeaway from the tournament was Arundhati Reddy and the ‘role she played’ in the team.
For the record, she never got to play a single match in the entire tournament but she remained the ‘backbone’ of the team. As an ‘extra’ player, she essayed an invaluable role. “Even when you are the 12th, you want to pass on the message as quickly as possible and as accurately as possible. There are a lot of things that from the outside you observe and you want to give those inputs, and that’s equal duty,” she had said in an interview.“As the 12th, I’ve always wanted to create something useful for the team. Even on that day against Bangladesh, just before that catch, funnily, I was thinking about, ‘okay, I want to take a blinder today’. And the very next ball came to me. It was nice, actually, to contribute in whatever small way that I contributed, standing in for Pratika,” the player had remarked.
“I’m not saying there weren’t days where I didn’t feel the pinch. Obviously, you want to be a part of the playing XI. But, once I step onto the ground, it’s still my duty to be a good teammate. I know my time will come. And I’m not too worried about it. So, for me, till the time my time comes and I have to clap for somebody else, I’m okay to do it,” she said.
Such is the attitude that the Hyderabad girl possesses and it has had quite a positive effect on the entire team, especially on Jemimah. Arundhati played a big role in helping Jemimah tame her demons on way to a memorable knock against defending champions Australia in the mouth-watering semifinal.
Jemimah and Arundhati seem to be worlds apart. They come from different backgrounds and subscribe to different faiths. Yet, that hasn’t stopped them from bonding on and off the field and each considers the other to be part of the family. Their friendship is like David and Jonathan of the Bible – the prince and the fugitive. Though Jonathan was the crown prince, he knew that David was destined to be the king and still loved him as his own self. He was willing to risk his neck out and face his father’s ire for his friend.
Arundhati – just like Jonathan –was found unabashedly rejoicing as her friend was basking in her new-found glory. She was the first one off the block – after India had won the semifinal – to congratulate Jemimah. The picture of Arundhati holding on to a crying Jemimah after the game speaks volumes of their friendship.
In a recent Instagram post, Jemimah spoke of the influence Arundhati had on her and how her friend was ‘selfless in her service’ to the team. “Aru and I were having a conversation one day during the tournament and she said, ‘You know my purpose for this World Cup is bigger than myself, it’s to be there for others’.
“That moment I just stopped and was like what kind of a girl is she? I know how much not playing was pinching her, but to leave everything and look out for the people around you is hard but she did it wholeheartedly,” shared Jemimah.
“Your real character is tested when things don’t go the way you want it to go, but in spite of all that you left your things aside and you served others with all your heart. It’s very rare to have a heart like this,” Jemimah added.
The Mumbai girl, who wears her faith on her sleeves, lauded Arundhati for being there for her teammates. “What you’ve done may not come on a scoresheet, but in God’s eyes this is the biggest thing that pleases Him, when you forget yourself and give your life to help others! And you’ve not just been there for me but everyone in this team.”
“This, what you’ve done throughout the World Cup, is the biggest achievement for me! I’m so so so proud to say that Dattuuuuu Reddy is my best friend,” Jemimah said.
An ever-humble Jemimah also spoke of how Arundhati was there for her when she was down and out. “And on a personal note, I wasn’t doing well mentally, had been crying a lot during this tour, but there was never a time that Aru hasn’t checked on me or been there for me. Thank you for taking care of our little one,” she said and added a postscript, which says, “For all the tshirts I’ve spoilt with my tears you can definitely send me the laundry bill now…”
On her part, Arundhati had a strong belief that Jemimah would do well in the tournament. “It’s kind of funny because before the start of the tournament, I just told her that, ‘Jemi, I have this feeling that this is going to be your best tournament yet.’ She went like, ‘yeah, I wish…’ but then her tournament didn’t start off that well. She got a couple of ducks, couple of starts (she couldn’t convert; and then got dropped),” she said.“Even then I had this inkling. I told her, ‘there’s still time, and I still get this feeling that something big is due from you’. She just laughed it off then. She looked at me as if I’m mad or someone crazy. I just kept telling her that it just feels like a set-up, like God is doing this to ultimately lift you up in a very big way. I can’t explain it, but there was this constant feeling deep down that that something big is going to happen from her.” Arundhati’s sixth sense proved correct as Jemimah played the innings of her life in the semifinal. A friend is one who strengthens you with their presence, trust, and understanding, goes a saying. Arundhati did it for Jemimah and the others and in the process helped India’s cause in the World Cup.
One is reminded of the song Heal the World, sung by the legendary Michael Jackson. “Heal the world, make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race. There are people dying and if you care enough for the living make a better place for you and for me”
Thankfully, sports is still a bastion of friendship and oneness – qualities which hopefully the society at large once again imbibes.
May Arundhati’s tribe increase!
A beautiful piece of writing!👏👏👏👏 The writer has chosen a member of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team who did not play a significant role on the field, but made a lasting impact off the field by boosting the morale of her teammates! 👏👏
Such players like Arundhati are an asset to a teams morale, because that matters most before a crucial match.
The article highlights the fact that eventhough a player is left out of the playing eleven, they can still help the team win with their positive energy.
Thanks Pradeep
A friendship that sings straight from the heart , the bond between Jemimah and Arundhati is a melody of pleasing . Their unwavering support, genuine affection, and selfless spirit blend together like a soulful raaga in perfect jugalbandi. A beautiful example of true togetherness and inspiration.
Thanks Anuradha
Absolutely said. Even we as sportsman need somebody to pamper at the time we are low, aru did it for jemmy. Very well written.
Thanks Surekha