CRICKET CRAZIES TO FOOTBALL FRENZY?

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