To be honest, I haven’t played a proper match in a long time. Not because I don’t like sports I actually love them but life just changed. School ended, college started, and somehow the fun we used to have running around in the streets got replaced with phones, Wi-Fi, and just lying around.

But deep down, I still believe sports matter. A lot.

It Was Never Just a Game

Growing up, I played a lot of cricket with the boys in my street. Nothing serious just a broken bat, a taped tennis ball, and some bricks for wickets. But those games? They taught me more than I realized.

We didn’t play for fitness or discipline or any deep reason like that. We played because it felt good. It made us forget everything else for a while.

Now, looking back, I understand that sports weren’t just fun. They helped me learn patience, deal with pressure, and even handle losing without throwing a tantrum.

The Phone Took Over

These days, I see kids playing PUBG, watching TikToks, or just sitting at dhabas with friends no one brings a bat anymore. The ground we used to play on? There’s a building there now.

That’s just how it is. Life got busy. Cities got louder. Screens got more addictive.

But I think we’ve let go of something that was really good for us.

It's Not About Going Pro

You don’t need to be a professional athlete to enjoy sports. That’s the biggest misunderstanding people have now. It’s not about getting famous, joining a team, or competing at a national level.

Sometimes, it’s just about playing one quick match after maghrib, laughing with friends, or even playing football barefoot in an empty plot. These are the things we remember later. Not the likes or views.

We All Need That One Escape

Life these days is stressful. Even if you’re not working or studying full-time, there’s always something on your mind. And you might not notice it, but your body and mind both get tired of sitting all day.

That’s where sports come in even if it’s just for 20 minutes. Run around, sweat a little, shout over a foul, and forget your phone for a bit.

I’ve noticed that after playing even for a short time, I feel way lighter. Mentally, I mean.

Not Dead. Just Faded.

Some people say sports are dying out, but I don’t agree. They’re just not in our daily routine like they used to be. But the love is still there. You’ll see it during a PSL match or when Messi scores people still go crazy.

It just needs a small push. And maybe that starts with someone like me or you saying, “Chal yaar, match lagate hain.”

One Last Thing

If you’re reading this and you haven’t played anything in weeks or months I get it. Life happens. But maybe, just maybe, grab a ball next time you see your cousins or college friends and suggest a quick game. Doesn’t have to be serious.

Because trust me after everything else fades, those matches, those fights over no balls, those moments when you hit a six out of the street those stay.

(Written by a guy who still misses Sunday morning tape ball cricket.)

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