It’s been a lazy morning, a rare day in my hectic life. We are into the second week of the three-week lockdown in India and the gravity of the worldwide havoc created by the COVID-19 virus is deeply concerning. We are staring at an uncertain future and against an unknown enemy. The lessons I learnt from cricket are very relevant now. As the situation demands, we have to take fresh guard, read the pitch, manage the swing and bounce, and above all, be circumspect. Those words we’ve heard a million times—application and temperament—are really the key in life too. Nobody wants to give his wicket away!
For me and my family, our lives are in reboot mode and believe me, it’s one of the best phases we have had at home together. From Arjun, the youngest member in the family at 20, to my mother, who is 83, we are witnessing how one reacts to a situation variably as per one’s age. We all have different tastes and choices, but for me, this period is a test of acceptability and adaptability. Collectively, we must really think for each other—for India’s 1.3 billion people and for the global community at large.
There is no pressure of meetings and stepping out of home is an absolute no-no. Sleeping well, going to the gym, a leisurely breakfast, a lunch of my choice and then it’s time for some family entertainment. My mother must be the happiest seeing her son and grandchildren away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As a family, we are doing those simple things—watching TV serials, playing games and eating together—things that we otherwise tend to miss quite regularly.
As I said, ‘accept’ and ‘adapt’…that works whether it’s a hard top at Perth or a crumbling fifth-day Nagpur pitch, or life. The better we accept this situation and follow the simple dos and don’ts, the faster we combat the fear factor, and higher the chance that we survive...and thrive. With this crisis, ‘adapting’ calls for a sterner reappraisal of our playing style itself! As a family, we have accepted that coronavirus is a challenge to humankind and we need to revisit the way we lead our lives.
What’s good? For one, it’s quite incredible to see the whole world united against a common foe. And what’s not? Well, when a few people callously flout basic precautions, I find it very disturbing. Clearly, it’s a matter of discipline and trusting the information shared by credible health organisations. I have been saying these in my messages for UNICEF, so do guard against fake news! And play within yourself....For me, this has been the time to introspect and plan ahead. I feel a person who utilises this time properly will always be a step ahead of the person who thinks he has nothing to do at home.
What better than having a doctor-wife at home in this hour of need! Anjali has been making sure that we constantly wash our hands and keep ourselves sanitised. This includes the people who help us at home. We have stopped guests at home—for one thing, it’s not allowed; and with my mother vulnerable because of her age, we are extremely careful about who’s meeting her.
I am glad our children have grasped the challenges and are doing their bit by making our lives easier at home. A lockdown can be quite challenging for young girls and boys, but both Sara and Arjun have understood the repercussions of what a wrong step could mean. As parents, we have tried to keep them mentally stimulated and that means spending a lot of quality time together, going to the gym with each other, eating home-cooked food, watching the TV serials and movies we love and, of course, music.
