2017 Sep 1
Remember the glory days when the Lankan cricket team hit three sixes in a row? Well if you’re keeping up with the current ODI series, it seems like the SL team’s winning streak is nothing but a distant memory. So to all you cricket fans who are looking for ways to mend your broken hearts, here are 6 sure steps to recover from Sri Lanka losing a cricket match.
Comfort food
The quickest way for your heart to heal is through your stomach. So, get ready to eat your feelings away with the Lankan classics like Stringhopper biriyani, Nasigurang and Elephant-house hot dogs. Who cares if you gain a few pounds? You just spent hours cheering your team on and then bawling your eyes out every time they messed up. That’s a lot of calories burnt right there. So just stuff yourself… Because nobody can feel down while chewing on some yummy cheeeesy kottu (Let’s throw in some extra cheese just to be sure!)
Vent to a friend
Next up, start sharing your pain. You are bound to run into one or two people who say “What is the big deal it’s just a cricket match! Stop moping around, put some pants on and go to work!!”. These people just don’t understand how much you wanted to jump off the couch and scream “WE WON! WE WON!!” So find someone who shared the same dream as you and just vent to your heart’s desire. Better yet, take them along for another cheese kottu (You can never really have too much of those)
Gym your frustration away
Now that your stomach is stuffed and you’ve talked it all out, have some alone time in the gym. It is not a myth that exercise makes you feel better. Every time you work-out, dopamine; a neurotransmitter crucial for happiness, is released into your brain. So run, jog, row and lift! Push yourself to the limits till you sweat all your grief and anger out. While you’re at it, if you want to sneak-a-peak at the cute guy/girl next to you, it’s fine just this once because you’re grieving. But try not to get kicked out for being a perv!
Rebound with a TV series
Ok so here’s the big step. You have to find the will to move on to another area of interest. (Temporarily, temporarily! Don’t worry we are not going to give up on cricket). Let’s start with binge watching an old show you loved. You will never go wrong with classics like F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Big bang theory, The Mentalist and How I met your mother (SPOILER: actually scratch the latter, the ending was horrible). If you’re feeling better afterwards, try exploring a whole new TV show like The Flash. Barry Allen and the team have enough melodramatic problems for you to forget your own troubles.
Re-living the glory days
Afterwards, when you really feel ready, you can try rebuilding your cricket dreams (Don’t panic! You can go as slowly as you like). Let’s start with something easy. Give Sunil Perera’s “Duwanna denawa meda sere” cricket song a listen. Next, go on YouTube and enjoy some of the cricket highlights from winning matches like the 1996 World Cup. Let me help you out with this one right here! We really destroyed Australia that time: D
Additionally, just to makes things properly cheerful again, grab some of your neighbours and play some street cricket. That should keep your love for the sport going! This step is crucial because a true Lankan will never quit on their cricket team. We patiently remain loyal fans because we know our team is going to get back up and wow the world once again!
Don’t become Indian
Finally, despite being our neighbours, we need to make sure we don’t end up like Indian cricket fans. Irrationally venting your frustration about your team losing just isn’t the way to go. Each player on the SL team is committed to winning and trains vigorously to achieve their dreams. So you need not break their spirit by badmouthing them or throwing bottles onto the field.
“It was quite evident that over the last few months, our cricket team struggled to perform to their fullest potential. This is mainly due to the introduction of new members to the team who are still adapting to the international standards of cricket. As a major fan of our beloved team, I believe that the supporters shouldn’t discourage or turn against the SL lions. Rather, give them time to gain back their composure and let them return to their winning ways!”
Banula P.
“Indian fans tend to verbally and/or physically attack their players and their families when the team loses. Let’s not turn on our team like that. Keep believing in the lions!”
Ruwan K.
