da marjack bet： In part three, our correspondent takes in Dublin, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai
da gbg bet： Subash Jayaraman20-Dec-2014Day 46
The first morning in Dublin, Google Maps helps us identify a cricket ground near our guest house, that of Leinster CC. It’s a ten-minute walk away but when we arrive the gates are shut. Luckily an elderly member, Tony Hyland, spots us while he’s walking in for his Lawn Bowls match. On finding out that we are on a cricket world trip, he lets us in and gives us a tour of the place. Founded in 1852, Leinster CC has a long history. WG Grace brought a team over for a set of matches in 1873 and 1874. As we part, Tony hugs us and says, “I’ll see you in heaven.”Day 48
Kathleen and I met at Penn State University in the US, so we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to watch our alma mater play a College Football game. In Dublin! Pep rallies, beers, food and cheering till our throats are hoarse give us the feeling of being at home for a day, six weeks in to the trip.Day 49
The in-laws are here from the US. Drive to the west coast of Ireland, from where Kathleen’s ancestors set sail for the US many generations ago. One of the family members who still lives on the ancestral land meets us at the property and suggests we dine at the nearby Ballynahinch Castle, which used to be the summer residence of Ranjitsinhji. Giant portraits of Ranji and framed letters written by him cover the walls of the castle.Ballynahinch Castle: Ranji’s summer residence in Ireland•Subash JayaramanDay 50
Drive to Dingle peninsula, whose rolling hills make it one of the most beautiful places on earth. The owner of the place we are staying at is a British expat. He talks of playing club cricket in Ireland and playing alongside Jack Short, who turned out for Ireland but captained France against a visiting MCC team in 1989 and beat them handily.Day 56
Drive back to Dublin and head straight to Malahide for the first of three Ireland-Scotland ODIs. Not more than 200 fans dot the boundary rope. Some of the boundary fielders are just a few feet away, giving the impression of it being a weekend club game rather than an international. The quality of the cricket, however, dispels that notion quickly. Ireland win easily.Day 59
Attend a “cricket evening” hosted by Cricket Ireland and the (as the kids there are quick to inform us). Children wearing EPL jerseys playing cricket – a definite change from when I was a kid. One group even lets me play in a match, making me keep wicket as they think, rightly, that I’d be too slow in the outfield.The Cricket Club of India, housed in the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai•Ben Radford/Getty ImagesDay 88
Interviewed by the Hindu for a podcast about our world trip. Feels surreal to be inside the offices of a newspaper I used to read religiously while growing up.Day 89
Back in Mumbai. A journalist friend takes us to the Legends Club meeting at the Cricket Club of India at the Brabourne Stadium. It’s the 103rd birth anniversary of Vijay Merchant, one of India’s greatest batsmen. Meet former Indian cricketers Madhav Apte and Nari Contractor. Hear stories about Merchant, Vijay Hazare and Polly Umrigar. Feel lucky to have the chance to interact with these gents.Day 90
Meet India bowler Snehal Pradhan. She encourages us to visit a bat-maker in the Marine Lines area, and we do. Many current and former Mumbai batsmen come here to make small adjustments to their bats.Day 91
Get a tour of the centre of the cricketing universe – the BCCI headquarters. Get to see the 1983 Prudential Trophy, which first sowed the seeds of a love affair that continues to the day.