My World Cup

Why are all Indians crazy about cricket? The country probably has more permutations and combinations of the human gene pool than anyone could possibly care. As a rule, we do not agree with each other, with emotions sometimes bordering on hatred. In India, when you go from one state to another, its not the accent which changes. Its the language which does. Sometimes you do not even need to go to a different state to experience total linguistic handicap. The country is also divided on the lines of race, caste, religion etc. They say India is a unity in diversity. And I beg to disagree, to put it mildly.

Until it comes to cricket: a game which is still a mystery to most of the rest of the world. All Indians, irrespective of where they come from, have a special part of their brain reserved for cricket. They understand the intricacies of the game, religiously keep track of statistics and have an opinion on everything related to cricket. If you grew up in India, you probably grew up playing cricket. And when 11 men take the field for a cricket match, India agrees. Cricket transcends all differences and make India united in the truest sense of the word. A certain player is acknowledged by many in India as God Himself. The outcome of a match can make or break the day of an entire nation. That is a billion people we are talking about. A billion hearts beating in perfect harmony, heart rates synchronously rising and falling with the ebb and flow of the game. Why is it so you ask? I have no answer.

Sport has historically taken a back seat in India. Its more important to get that degree; what has sweating it out in the sun ever achieved? That will not put food on the table we are told. And this is reflected in the dismal showing of Indians in sporting events. Cricket manages to defy logic here too. The Indian cricket talent pool would be the envy of any other cricket playing nation. India has produced some of the best cricketing talent the world has ever seen. Why is it so you ask? I have no answer.

But none of this matters. When India were playing Sri Lanka in the finals of the Cricket World Cup 2011, all I cared about was India getting the winning runs. And all Indians agreed with me. When the winning runs were scored, it was the happiest day of my life. And so it was for a billion Indians.As we rejoiced in the aftermath of an emphatic win, all differences faded away into obscurity.

This is my World Cup. And to all my fellow Indians, this is your World Cup. Proud to be an Indian.