That's cricket for you.
This has been in my drafts for a while now. I do not know much about cricket - nothing more than the average spectator - the ball, the bat, the runs, the very many different ways a batsman might be out etc etc. I do not know the technical jargon, and I definitely do not know enough to pass judgement.
But that has never stopped me from enjoying a good game. Especially if its the Indian team in play. I will walk away from a mediocre match, I would not even bother to find out the result. But I am drawn in to the drama, the heartbreak, the endless discussions on how someone could have done it better.
In India, cricket is part of every household. Every body has an opinion, and everybody is entitled to it. There is rarely a match when every one is satisfied. And that sows the seed for interesting discussions. I got drawn in to these discussions, 'cos I never wanted to be left out in school when the topic came. Or in parties.
My mom and dad love to watch every match that India plays. My dad has been known to occasionally root for other teams, but it is always India. first That is the status of Cricket in India. And that is the aura of excitement that surrounds it. It brings the family together. We cheered every six, we had our own cricket superstitions, we wept every time the team came close only to hand over victory to the other team. Oh! Our opinion on what should be done was nothing less compared to all those qualified commentators, or unqualified reporters.
But I have realised that without all these - my family to enjoy with, my relatives trying to fix up the match with superstitions 'if I move from this place, sachin tendulkar will be out', my friends to talk over the game the next day, 'The Hindu' sports section to read every detail and relive the action, or shake my head at the 'wrong' opinion of the writer... without all these, without India to enjoy it with, I do not much like cricket.
It is no fun watching it alone. I have not watched a single cricket match since I left India.
And I know now, why cricket is such a religion in India. For it brings families, friends and even strangers together.. for we forge bonds and etch memories over every ball bowled, every run missed. I think this is true for every sport - cricket, baseball, soccer or hockey.
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6 comments:
Rohini,my daughter tells me matches are being shown in her place at Boston.Atleast watch them from the quarter final stage .When my daughter was young,I wld ask her which team she wanted to win.She will naturally choose India.I wld opt for the opponents and both enjoy mock-fighting and cheering opposite teams all thro the match.It was fun.
But seriously I feel there is a surfiet of cricket wasting time of a large sections of people.While crickters play for moeny, it is unproductive for country.There must be some regulation and we shd not leave things to cricket bodies to invade the productive hours of the country.What do you say?
@KP - honestly, I have lost interest in the current teams! the players I grew up with are all gone, and now it just feels so much more commercialised. and I do miss the atmosphere.
Of course! Sports of every kind, esp cricket, will always play an important role in our society. Here, most important games are kept for the weekends. And the celebrations are huge!
cricket of course is an industry of its own, right?
Hi Rohini, finally I've got someone whos writing on Cricket..that too a lady writer along side me..:) ..
Im vry much interested in cric..as i wrie this Im watching the India Vs South africa of WC..:)..
U rightly said it.. there is hardly a match whr everyone is convinced..!!
:) Prams
@pramoda - haha. how could anyone familiar with your blog not know your love for the game :). your blog is my goto place - like 'the hindu' the morning after the match.
Ro, lucky you! i found it really very nice n pleasing to read about uncle n aunty enjoying cricket matches. at my home, cricket is strictly banned, somehow, my dad finds it nonsensical. i remember my mum used to show intrest during my childhood, but my dad used to walk out and went to meet frns n came back home once the match gets over. in order to avoid the inconvenience or wotsoever my mum gave up watching cricket. i found it so sweet of my mum. the love she had for my dad, care respect n concern reflected in her gesture. since that time, neither i have developed any interest nor my sis in watching cricket. but at time, we both get pissed off to watch it coz we dont really undertsand what is happening, but ya, when India wins we feel the joy that ppl r having. u rightly said it, in India cricket is a part of our evry household.
aww.. that is so sweet of aunty. their generation has all these subtle signs of love. :)
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