June 24. “Button, what struck me while watching FIFA this evening was that the humble ball is used to play so many different games.

Do you see the ball as just a ball people use to play with or as a pivotal object?”

“Tell me why you think so.”

“From rugby to cricket, throw-ball, tennis, table-tennis, squash, polo, and football, the simple round object called a ball is the key instrument. Except for badminton and board games, the ball is a universal sports accessory.”

“I now understand what you mean.”

“I never understood rugby and have never, till date, had any fascination or watched a single rugby match. Yet, today, when Italy and Slovakia were battling it out on the field, the match held my total attention. There was the cricket finals being played between India and Sri Lanka but I was not that interested.”

“What is the difference between rugby and football?”

“To me, both look the same. Maybe a rugby or football enthusiast will be able to tell you about the finer points.”

“Do you know who won the cricket match?”

“India won.”