What an adrenaline rush can be on a daily
basis, ask a sports frenzy! Here in India, sports mainly talks about the
religion-like- game of Cricket!
Talk about Cricket and 4 out of every 5
Indians will have an opinion to express, a memory to cherish, a passion reinstated,
a sense of belonging right on the field, there. Sachin Tendulkar is the God of
this religion: worshipped, idolized and celebrated as “the face” of Indian
Sports.
If you ask someone of their earliest
cricketing memory- it usually starts from those early childhood days of
gully-cricket where breaking glass windows was a routine tradition (even for
girls) and then continued to World Cup 1983/ 2003/ 2011, Sunil Gavaskar’s
batting, Anil Kumble’s 10 wickets in a match, Dravid’s centuries, Dhoni’s
captaincy and Sachin’s records. T20’s, ODI’s, Tests, the first WT20 win are those
cricketing moments which will never fail to bring a smile to your face as your heart
shall get filled with joy and exhilaration.
You will find an aspiring Sachin, a
mini-Sehwag, a patient Rahul all aroung the gullies of this country. The biggest
shock it would be coming across someone who hasn’t himself broken glasses or
knows someone who has done it too often. Its probably the most common
ritual/event that forms the childhood of almost every Indian child.
Everyone in this country either plays
cricket, watches it or at least has an opinion about the game and its
ambassadors- good or bad! And then its finally the turn of other games (after
dedicating a major chunk of attention to cricket) m-Hockey, Badminton, Tennis,
Chess get some mentions. And out of them all Football/ Soccer which is the most
widely played game across the globe does not get the similar attention back
here in India.
For the love of sport and to get a break
from the politically disastrous news and mentally torturing entertainment
channels a cricket lover may even try watching football (saying out of
experience) { though many of them do it out of sheer interest too} but we can
never love football the way we love cricket!
Thinking over the same, here are a few
reasons:
1. India does not have an amazing football team like Argentina or Germany.
2. All the good looking sportsmen are already booked to play- Cricket!
3. Indian values emphasize, “You must not kick anything/ anyone.” Well, in football
all the donkeys are constantly kicking the ball. In fact it’s a foul if you
touch the ball with your hands.
4. Remember laughing aloud in that initial match scene in “Lagaan” where
all the Indian Fielders (almost7-8 of them) are runningbehind a single ball? Hold
on, football is the game where almost 20 men are doing the same thing
throughout the 90minutes or so.
5. In cricket, if Sachin is at the crease for a long time he’s at least
sure to score an individual 50 (hopes of centuries always high) But even with
the likes of Ronaldo and Gomez on the field you may end up with a goal less
match as they miss the goal despite repeated opportunities.
6. Cricket has a 20-20 format, a 50-50 format and a 5day format (tests)
too! In football its all the same each day! Thankfully, Pepsi started with T20
Football! #ChangeTheGame
7. As mentioned earlier even with the greatest of players and 90 minutes on
the field you may end up watching a goal less match. Thus, heading for the
extra time and penalty shoot outs! But with cricket its either runs or wickets!
There are non-stop ticking numbers which are separate from the ticking of time.
8. We as Indians always love to support players (individuals). Honestly,
despite of team games we’re often more biased and prejudiced about certain
players who glorify the game for us.
So from Sachin-Sehwag,
Bradman, Michael Clarke, Ricky POnting, Garfield Sobers, Jhonty Rhodes, Brian
Lara, Stuart Broad you ask them to shout out Fabregas, Schweini, Euseboi,
Iniesta, Andre Pirlo, Ballotelli would be quite a task!!! (with much needed
prior practice)
9. Be it a 90 minute game or a 20 over match there is a much even and
high-voltage drama in Cricket than in Football. And it is a pretty popular fact
as to how much we Indians love Football!
CRICKET HAI BAHUT KHAAS!
Photo Courtesy: PEPSI INDIA #ChangeTheGame
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