Leher (L): Who do you think is going to win the Cricket World Cup?
In unison: India!
L: Why?
Aryan (A): Because India has got Virat Kohli!
Durvesh (D): And even Hardik Pandya!
Sarthak (S): Everyone is training hard and playing well… so I feel India is going to win.
L: Who are your favourite players?
In unison: Virat Kohli!
D: Hardik Pandya!
L: Why Kohli?
A: I really love his batting.
L: And why Pandya?
D: Because Pandya hits helicopter shots. He can keep hitting fours and sixes non-stop.
L: Do you also watch women’s cricket matches?
S: Yes! But I do not know any of the players’ names.
L: What do you feel about boys and girls playing cricket together?
A: Cricket is a game which can be easily played by boys and girls together.
D: More girls should play cricket.
S: And it’ll be more fun.
L: And what other games/sports do you play apart from cricket?
In unison: Football!
D: I love playing football more than cricket. I came today to play cricket because he asked me to. (giggles)
S: Even I love football. Pogba is my favourite.
A: I also play Kabaddi.
D: And I like to swim as well. I love playing everything. I am an all-rounder just like Pandya.
L: Why do you like playing cricket more than any other sports?
A: Cricket has so many things… batting, fielding, bowling.
S: I enjoy hitting sixes.
D: And I love bowling and fielding. But at times, I mis-field and drop catches.
L: So you all come to play cricket here every Sunday? Do you also play cricket at school?
In unison: Yes!
S: Sometimes, we also play at Cooperage ground.
D: We three are from different schools.
Q: Then how did you become friends?
A: We stay in the same building and I guess we became fast friends while playing cricket only.
L: So do you play in your building premises?
S: Sometimes. But we don’t like playing cricket there.
A: We are scared of playing there… what if we break someone’s window panes…
D: That is why we all come here. And I especially love this ground as I can hit very long sixes like Pandya. (everyone laughs)
#PlayMatters is a micro-campaign by Leher, a child rights organization working to make child protection a shared responsibility. The aspiration of this campaign is to start conversations and draw collective understanding and action towards a child’s right to play. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to participate.