India plays Pakistan in a cricket match on Sunday. However, it is much more than a cricket match, every one will tell you. In many ways it is. So many people who don't usually watch cricket matches would watch. They will abuse the other country's players or their own; make them into superstars or throw stones on their houses depending upon the result.
In a time of right wing politics prevailing in our country, the atmosphere will be even more charged up. The government says that we can play Pakistan in ICC tournaments but not in bilateral tournaments. I can't quite understand this stand. If it's not okay to play them, surely it's not okay to play them, period. Not playing versus Pakistan in such a tournament would lead to commercial loss. So this is probably the real reason but any ways.
With so much fervour associated with the match, drama and false pride abounds. A fan posted on WhatsApp a hand written note that he would never watch another Indian match if we lost this game. Another asked me to leave the country as I thought that India will lose the match.
Why can't we focus on the cricket? Pakistan bowls well, so does India. Indian batting is stronger but I feel Yuvraj-Jadhav-Dhoni is a a chink in the armour which Pakistan can exploit. Jadhav and Dhoni haven't had a chance to bat much either so far. Hasan, Raees, Shadab and every one else are bowling really well. Moreover, Pakistan is fielding exceptionally well. This never ever happens. They have a tremendous spirit about them right now.
Why can't we focus on the pitch and the weather and cricketing aspects? There is no shame in losing a cricket match and no extra pride in winning one. Of course one can feel happy the team one supports won. However, the upmanship beyond the cricket which we see every Ram and Kabir expouse is cringeworthy.
In a time of right wing politics prevailing in our country, the atmosphere will be even more charged up. The government says that we can play Pakistan in ICC tournaments but not in bilateral tournaments. I can't quite understand this stand. If it's not okay to play them, surely it's not okay to play them, period. Not playing versus Pakistan in such a tournament would lead to commercial loss. So this is probably the real reason but any ways.
With so much fervour associated with the match, drama and false pride abounds. A fan posted on WhatsApp a hand written note that he would never watch another Indian match if we lost this game. Another asked me to leave the country as I thought that India will lose the match.
Why can't we focus on the cricket? Pakistan bowls well, so does India. Indian batting is stronger but I feel Yuvraj-Jadhav-Dhoni is a a chink in the armour which Pakistan can exploit. Jadhav and Dhoni haven't had a chance to bat much either so far. Hasan, Raees, Shadab and every one else are bowling really well. Moreover, Pakistan is fielding exceptionally well. This never ever happens. They have a tremendous spirit about them right now.
Why can't we focus on the pitch and the weather and cricketing aspects? There is no shame in losing a cricket match and no extra pride in winning one. Of course one can feel happy the team one supports won. However, the upmanship beyond the cricket which we see every Ram and Kabir expouse is cringeworthy.
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