Before The Match

By – R.K Narayan
 Summary
‘Before the Match’ is an extract from Swami and Friends by R.
K. Narayan. This story is about Malgudi Cricket club (MCC)
and Young Men’s Union Cricket match. Rajam is captain of
MCC team and he is very nervous about the team performance
in the upcoming match against the YMU which consist of older
and more experienced players. Rajam believes that Mani and he
are qualified to take on the role of the leading batsman in the
team.
His only worry is that Swami, the best bowler on their team,
does not seem to be practising at all before the game. Even
when Rajam pleads with Swami, he is not able to make time,
as he has Drill Classes, or Scouting Classes in the evenings
after dass. A week before the match, Swami grows desperate.
At the Drill class, he pretends to be ill, and tells the Master
that he is suffering from delirium. The Drill Master throws
him out of class, rebuking him severely, and telling him that
he does not believe him. Though this helps Swami to attend
practice that day, Swami knows that he will have to find a
surer way to avoid these classes.
So, the next morning, he goes to a doctor and asks him for a
certificate that would say that Swami was ill and ought to be
exempt from the classes after four-thirty. The doctor is
sympathetic, but declares that he cannot issue a fake
certificate. Instead, he assures Swami that he would talk to the
Head Master and request him for permission to let Swami go
home at four-thirty. Swami is very grateful and thanks the
doctor for his kindness.
What is the full form of YMU and MCC?
YMU – Youth Match Union, MCC – Malgudi Cricket Club
YMU - Young Men’s Union, MCC – Malgudi Cricket Club
YMU - Young Men’s Union, MCC – Malgudi Cricket Champs
YMU – Youth Man’s United, MCC – Malgudi Cricket
Community
Ans. B. YMU - Young Men’s Union, MCC – Malgudi Cricket
Club
Who was the captain of MCC?
a. Rajam b. Swami. c. Rajat d. Tate
Ans. a. Rajam
Just seven days before the match Swaminathan realised
that his evenings were more precious than ever. Which
is the match referred to here?
a. MCC vs YMU
b. World cup
c IPL
d. Both a&b
Ans a. MCC vs YMU
“I can’t give you certificate” Who refused to give
certificate?
a. Dr. Iyer
b. Dr. Murti
c. Dr. Shamant
d. Dr. Kesavan
Ans. d. Dr. Kesavan
Who was known as “Tate” of the Team?
a. Rajam
b. Swaminathan
c. Mani
d. None of them
Ans b. Swaminathan
What excuse did Swaminathan made to escape from
routine drill?
a. Of having delirium
b. Need to go home early
c. Suffring from fever
d. Suffring from stomach
Ans. A. Of having delirium
What do you mean by the word ‘delirium’?
a. Following closely
b.A state of mind in which one cannot think or speak clearly,
usually caused by fever
c. Did not sleep at all
d.Having stomach
e. Ans. B. A State of mind in which one cannot think or
speak clearly, usually caused by fever