This evening, at about 10 PM, I received this message: India batting against Australia T20 2nd half.

My thoughts, precisely, were in this sequence: Is India in Australia? If not, when did Australia arrive? What trophy is this? Wait… What on earth???

I cannot help but feel a little embarrassed when my mother does this to me. Not only such informational messages… but updates, too! On how Dhoni is doing, how the Chennai Super Kings (the only team that matters to her) destroyed one more team, how they escaped defeat by the skin of their teeth, or how Dravid played (the only player that matters to me).

To get up-to-speed match results, group standings, and other information about the recent IPL or CLT20, all I have to do is call her and ask her. Or not. She’ll tell me anyway.

When I visited her a couple of days ago, she actually had a newspaper cutting that listed all the match fixtures in the Champions League T20 series. The winners and losers in each fixture were neatly marked or scratched out. Talking about fans… she’ll follow the Chennai Super Kings to the ends of the earth! [By the way, Subramaniam Badrinath, if you read this, Mom’s not too happy with your recent lackluster performance in the 2013 CLT20. You might want to do something about it.]

Sigh. I have multiple computers at work and home, with high-speed data connections, a 3G-enabled smartphone, well-informed (apparently, hmpff!) colleagues or friends around me most of the time. And I still am clueless.

So, I say this with some embarrassment, but mostly with pride – Mom, you’re AWESOME!

And with the best cricketer ever out of the game, I’m joining the Chennai Super Kings with you.
I mean… may I, please?