After these experiences over the past 10 days, my mind figured out ways to make playing cricket happen. I went to a local cricket store and picked up a bat and a ball tied to a rope.

After knocking it around for a couple of days in my backyard, I felt this wasn't enough. Cricket is a team sport. It would be best if you were in such an environment to make it feel like you're playing the sport.

I researched for clubs in Dubai and was lucky enough to find a club that was just one month into its inception, Arabian Eagles (AE). I came across them via the 'meetup' app.

I met Vivek, our club captain, Karthik, Krishna and Shahin, for the first time. These 4 founded the club out of mutual love for the game.

With over 25 players registered for the club in the first 40 days, the club had decided to host their internal series, the Arabian Eagles Champions League (ACL). The teams were split into two, Red Eagles and Blue Eagles. I was drafted into the Red Eagles squad and was pretty excited to be a part of a competitive environment again.

ACL Season 1:

On 22/04/2016, I played my first competitive game after school. I got the opportunity to open the innings. We were chasing a modest total of 124 in 20 overs. Karthik and I opened the innings, and he exploded. In 7 or 8 overs, we were 80-0. I had made 12 out of 25; I hadn't hit a single boundary, a testament to my love for test cricket, and he was on 60 something not out.

I was out shortly after, but Karthik's quickfire 65 did the damage. We crossed the line.

In the second game, I got an opportunity again, I failed. Made 7 off 18 balls. We lost the game. This was a special game for one of my closest friends, Anuraag (Blue Eagles). He made a comeback to leather ball cricket after around 7 years and was declared Man of The Match with his 50 odd. The series was level.

Rightly so, The captain dropped me from the opening slot in the final game. One of my other close friends, Sameer, took the spot and boy did he deliver. His 57 odd at a good strike rate was the perfect start we needed while chasing 158.

It went to the wire, with wickets falling consistently, I was sent at 8 down, and a quickfire 17 off 10 by Sanju got us through the line. We won the game in the second last ball, a nail-biting finish indeed. The Red Eagles had won the first-ever ACL. My only contribution to that game was giving Sanju the strike and running his 2s.

When he hit the winning runs, the whole squad took off and lifted him on his shoulders. I won't lie; it was a very lonely feeling to be in my shoes at that point. I was elated for the team, gutted for myself. I felt like I had disappointed myself. My fitness was in serious question after this tournament.

To give you context, from the age of 20 (graduation) till the age of 24 (2016), I had lost my way in terms of having anything close to a healthy lifestyle. I smashed food beyond limits, a packet of cigarettes a day, more soft drinks than water. I was 14 kgs heavier than I was in college, and the worst thing is I couldn't see it. I felt I was okay.

This picture from ACL - 1 was the wake-up call I needed. I had to earn my way back up the order.

Learnings from ACL -1:

I want to dedicate this article to everyone at AE for bringing me back to the sport, for helping me transform into a better version of myself. The fight to make my way up the ranks and get better still prevails today; if it weren't for that, the intent and drive to keep playing the sport wouldn't exist.

I'm releasing this article on 05/04 as this was the date I joined the club. We've had ups and downs as a unit, but AE will always be my main club, and Ground 4, Subkha Pitch, Dubai Sevens will always be my home ground. Stay tuned and subscribe for Part 2 of this article, where I attempt my self-improvement journey.