Well. Whether you like it or not, my first blog is on cricket :) Albeit i feel it is my duty and responsibility, as an Indian, that i should write about cricket.
I truly believe when i say that cricket is an indian game. How else would you explain the brouhaha and frenzy of this game in india which is played between 13 players on the field at a time, with two muted but powerful figures in the middle (read umpires) whilst being surrounded and watched by thousands?
Why is it that the Indian conglomerate ever remains so passionate and emotional about this game while it is said in the archives of the gentleman's game that it was originally conceived in Britain? Has Lagaan not given us proof enough that Indians are born cricketers and do not even need to be properly educated or trained in the nitty-gritties of the game while they can go on to beat a highly established bunch of british cricketers (as in the movie)?
The fact remains that cricket has been injected into our veins right from the time we are born. I cannot imagine a day that goes without hearing something about cricket. It could be an 80 year old man discussing about the fielding performance of our indian bowlers with a bunch of young teenagers on a local train or a bunch of housewives discussing about SRT and his histionics while grocery shopping or colleagues rambling and deliberating about the Indian team's performance in the last match over a cup of afternoon tea.
The huge maidans, spread across states and small towns in India, with thousands of folks playing cricket just reiterates our blind passion for the game. The honesty, with which we curse our blessed cricketers when they fail and then praise (almost give them a GOD-like status!) when the succeed, gives a true reflection of the love-hate nature we share with the guts of this game.
I am not sure if purists would agree with me (and i seriously don't care!) when i say that cricket is that one thing that binds this huge nation of more than a billion people together. Throughout this country we celebrate a host of festivities. But nothing is celebrated like the carnival of cricket. That's when two sworn enemies, who cannot stand each other otherwise, sit together glued to the television awaiting the fate of the Indian cricket team in a tight match. Saas-bahu's forget their petty quarrels, hold each others hands and pray together for the mighty sachin to score a hundred. Or the one time when the almighty high-nosed boss sits with his juniors and cheers the indian team on!
Life stops in India when their team plays! That's the way it goes boss and there are no two ways about it!!
Sometimes I wonder if cricket was just another one of god's parlour tricks to test the human sentiments of passion,camaraderie and a sense of oneness... Salute to one of the most wonderful sport and its true fanatics, the ones the world calls INDIANS!
I truly believe when i say that cricket is an indian game. How else would you explain the brouhaha and frenzy of this game in india which is played between 13 players on the field at a time, with two muted but powerful figures in the middle (read umpires) whilst being surrounded and watched by thousands?
The fact remains that cricket has been injected into our veins right from the time we are born. I cannot imagine a day that goes without hearing something about cricket. It could be an 80 year old man discussing about the fielding performance of our indian bowlers with a bunch of young teenagers on a local train or a bunch of housewives discussing about SRT and his histionics while grocery shopping or colleagues rambling and deliberating about the Indian team's performance in the last match over a cup of afternoon tea.
The huge maidans, spread across states and small towns in India, with thousands of folks playing cricket just reiterates our blind passion for the game. The honesty, with which we curse our blessed cricketers when they fail and then praise (almost give them a GOD-like status!) when the succeed, gives a true reflection of the love-hate nature we share with the guts of this game.
I am not sure if purists would agree with me (and i seriously don't care!) when i say that cricket is that one thing that binds this huge nation of more than a billion people together. Throughout this country we celebrate a host of festivities. But nothing is celebrated like the carnival of cricket. That's when two sworn enemies, who cannot stand each other otherwise, sit together glued to the television awaiting the fate of the Indian cricket team in a tight match. Saas-bahu's forget their petty quarrels, hold each others hands and pray together for the mighty sachin to score a hundred. Or the one time when the almighty high-nosed boss sits with his juniors and cheers the indian team on!
Life stops in India when their team plays! That's the way it goes boss and there are no two ways about it!!
Sometimes I wonder if cricket was just another one of god's parlour tricks to test the human sentiments of passion,camaraderie and a sense of oneness... Salute to one of the most wonderful sport and its true fanatics, the ones the world calls INDIANS!
Well said, but I wish, same was the frenzy and fanaticism of the aam junta for the beautiful game called football. Hope your next one is on this beautiful game ;)
ReplyDeletehey nice blog... Cheers to world's champions... :)
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