So it has been a while since we won the cup that counts, and most of the dust has settled. And while there is a possibility that we still will be gloating about it till 2015, or the rest of our lives, whichever later, I just happen to have some vella time right now.
Anyhoo, I'm pretty sure most of us would have our own little April 2nd stories which will remain etched in our memories for a considerable amount of time, seeing as there is a high likelihood of us(You) leading (enduring?) otherwise meaningless existences. ouch!
Truth jokes aside, I think it was brilliant. I think each, and every moment was special mostly since the joy was so..unbridled. The momentary chest bumping, screaming and tears(!) aside, it simply gave everyone that one little chance of stepping up. Of being part of, or at least witness to something big, something spectacular and something they could call their own. bhui wahs.
Sure cricket is a commonwealth hangover, with probably about 20 countries playing competitively. Sure it needs a lot more than 90 minutes. Sure the current Aussie team is a shade of the past. And sure there were smses citing the exact results hours before. I say tell that to the little kid (cliche alert) with no shelter and nothing to cheer about, who ran across the street with a mini flag that night. To the millions of office goers who press F5 to refresh the commentary on cricinfo every time India plays. And to the hundreds of random people we high fived at 3 am at India Gate :)
In a nation riven by religion, communalism and what have you, cricket is the balm that heals. In a land as heterogenous, diverse and contradiction ridden as ours, it is probably the only thing that unites. Layman(you) style, here's why:
1) The equipment is Inexpensive - How much can 1 ball and 1 basic bat cost? now think golf.
2) It is easy to learn / play - meaning, anyone can stand and hit a ball.Anyhoo, I'm pretty sure most of us would have our own little April 2nd stories which will remain etched in our memories for a considerable amount of time, seeing as there is a high likelihood of us(You) leading (enduring?) otherwise meaningless existences. ouch!
Truth jokes aside, I think it was brilliant. I think each, and every moment was special mostly since the joy was so..unbridled. The momentary chest bumping, screaming and tears(!) aside, it simply gave everyone that one little chance of stepping up. Of being part of, or at least witness to something big, something spectacular and something they could call their own. bhui wahs.
Sure cricket is a commonwealth hangover, with probably about 20 countries playing competitively. Sure it needs a lot more than 90 minutes. Sure the current Aussie team is a shade of the past. And sure there were smses citing the exact results hours before. I say tell that to the little kid (cliche alert) with no shelter and nothing to cheer about, who ran across the street with a mini flag that night. To the millions of office goers who press F5 to refresh the commentary on cricinfo every time India plays. And to the hundreds of random people we high fived at 3 am at India Gate :)
In a nation riven by religion, communalism and what have you, cricket is the balm that heals. In a land as heterogenous, diverse and contradiction ridden as ours, it is probably the only thing that unites. Layman(you) style, here's why:
1) The equipment is Inexpensive - How much can 1 ball and 1 basic bat cost? now think golf.
3) Can be played anywhere - think nike advert. now compare that with tennis. or shooting!
4) Sachin Tendulkar
5) Most significantly, we are genetically, and characteristically, a lazy people. And it is a lazy man's game. Really. Think 7 hours of mostly standing save 3 guys, and hitting a ball. Now think muscle. Football. Basketball.
It's like Bombay, or for that matter any other great port city of the world. It had to happen. It was inevitable.
Not just because of the silly reasons above. But because people could relate.They could dream, that just like a buck toothed budding bus conductor from among them could lift the 1983 World Cup, they too could make things better in their own lives. It gave them Hope. and Faith. Serious, aur kya chahiye?
Beyond that, and at a very logical level we've had barely anything to cheer about as a sporting nation, and with built in caveats anyway. Like Abhinav Bindra had the money to fund his sport of choice. (not taking anything away from his phenomenal achievements). Or Karthikeyan had JK tyres backing him.
Now think how many times I used the word think in this post.
p.s. because the energy never dies. (e.n.d.)
1 comment:
i hope you realise its been 6 months since you wrote here
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