2025 FBA Season/24.10.19/ALK@AZD/Capsule
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium; Mumbai, India
What a way for Alaska to begin its campaign.
The Alaska Arctics met the Arizona Demons for their preseason opener in Mumbai, India today, but the true highlights went well beyond the court. For Ravishu Khattar-Varne ((Indian flying fox/yellow-winged bat, G), it was a day of homecoming, returning to his homeland, seeing their childhood home... and a chance to bring his fianceé, Zuri Khattar-Varne (ribbon seal, G) to greater appreciate his homeland. To meet family in-person, show her his humble beginnings, to spend time as they both saw fit. So many sights to see, and yet so little time. What they missed today, would be saved for next time.
On game day here, the two were announced as the respective starting point guards. The cheers for each were especially raucous from the Khattar-Varne family's section of seats. Both played well enough, although there were certainly more flashy plays from their teammates. Still a block from Ravi, a steal from Zuri, each garnered little winks and teases as the pair exchanged loving, but competitive, jabs at one another. After the game, a solid 13-point Arctics win, Ravishu and Zuri met at centre-court over the logo paint and gently held hands, with respect to one another for a game well played. Then, Zuri pressed her snout to Rav's, kissing him firmly but warmly, tailfin wagging.
Unaware, or perhaps uncaring, of the now-cheering and oohing crowd still in the stands, she then broke the kiss, and the bat ruffled her long red hair and booped a finger over her nose with a soft grin, as if to say, 'I won this round.' They then let go of one another, and went to their respective teams and locker rooms.
It was only fair that Ravi won the round in his homeland. In fact, many would say they won simply by landing Zuri as his soon-to-be wife. But the argument was that Zuri won just as much by landing Ravi, in that respect. Either way, it was Alaska fans' first look at many things. Terry O'Toole. Kenji Frost. The rookie class. But while Terry was player of the game, Ravi was the bat of the hour now that the score had gone final.
And what better place to be such, than in the very land that he called home for so much of his life. Love, basketball, and competition - it all showed today, in the most wholesome way possible. It felt like a palate cleanse after the ruckus of Lorain/Baltimore from last Tuesday. Feels like just yesterday they met at the 2022 combine and fell wings over flippers for one another. And every FBA generation gets a power couple; these two seem to be our time's couple, if today is any indication.
Arun Jamison
FSPN