Match Point
In 1947, India and Pakistan became two separate nations. A country which had once been united had now dissolved in two, with each part becoming a sworn enemy of the other. Neighbors became enemies, lives were lost, people displaced and the memory of the ghastly events lived on in people's lives.
Even today, the animosity lives on, and it spreads throughout the nation like the prevailing summer heat during the Cricket World Cup.
Australia won the World Cup three times in a row. Last week, India beat Australia to move into the semi-finals. I wouldn't say that nobody cared. Instead, it would be more appropriate to say that Indians were less excited about India beating the three-time world champion team and more to see India being pitched against Pakistan in the next round.
The match is today, but the madness started way before the match at Mohali even began. A ticket to watch the match costs an average of Rs. 20,000, which could be respectable man's monthly income. Pakistani's have come to India to watch, but their trip is proving to be fruitless because they can't get tickets for themselves. Hotels are overflowing at Mohali and people have to accomodate spectators at their homes. Everyone wants to watch the match at the stadium. They want to be close to their heros when they embrace glorious victory or face unfortunate defeat. The fact that satellite television now allows them to watch every over in at least five different angles, with a good view of players' every action.
The cricket madness has slipped into my world too, which is strange because I'm not really interested in cricket. My father works for a company that doesn't believe in holidays, even on big festivals. But today, he has a day off because all the employees with probably wage a war against the employer or maybe even sue him if they are made to work on the day of the Indo-Pak match. Whenever the World Cup matches coincide with the Board Exams, the average marks go down from 80% to 76%. If you look out the window, you would think it was after a curfew or something, because the streets are empty. Even public transport is almost unavailable on today.
In school, I am currently rehearsing for my rols as a housekeeper in My Fair Lady. Today, Eliza Doolittle's crudeness and Higgins' dismissal of her were put in the backburner since today was THE day. As soon as the match began, cell phones were pulled out of pockets and score updates were searched for. Higgins and Pickerin made it a point to debate India's chances of winning every two minutes. When rehearsal ended and school got over, people spilled out of their classrooms, sibling urging eacxh other to rush so they could be back in time to catch a good portion of the match. People who usually didn't talk to each other dutifully relied updates to one another. Yes, cricket really is a unifying force.
But I have one question- years after the Partition, why is a cricket match between India and Pakistan more than just a match? Why is it treated like a war? Isn't it time we enjoyed the game just because it was between two great teams, not because it's between two warring nations? It's time to move on, people. It's time to enjoy the spirit of the game, irrespective our political relations with the country we're playing against.
Even today, the animosity lives on, and it spreads throughout the nation like the prevailing summer heat during the Cricket World Cup.
Australia won the World Cup three times in a row. Last week, India beat Australia to move into the semi-finals. I wouldn't say that nobody cared. Instead, it would be more appropriate to say that Indians were less excited about India beating the three-time world champion team and more to see India being pitched against Pakistan in the next round.
The match is today, but the madness started way before the match at Mohali even began. A ticket to watch the match costs an average of Rs. 20,000, which could be respectable man's monthly income. Pakistani's have come to India to watch, but their trip is proving to be fruitless because they can't get tickets for themselves. Hotels are overflowing at Mohali and people have to accomodate spectators at their homes. Everyone wants to watch the match at the stadium. They want to be close to their heros when they embrace glorious victory or face unfortunate defeat. The fact that satellite television now allows them to watch every over in at least five different angles, with a good view of players' every action.
The cricket madness has slipped into my world too, which is strange because I'm not really interested in cricket. My father works for a company that doesn't believe in holidays, even on big festivals. But today, he has a day off because all the employees with probably wage a war against the employer or maybe even sue him if they are made to work on the day of the Indo-Pak match. Whenever the World Cup matches coincide with the Board Exams, the average marks go down from 80% to 76%. If you look out the window, you would think it was after a curfew or something, because the streets are empty. Even public transport is almost unavailable on today.
In school, I am currently rehearsing for my rols as a housekeeper in My Fair Lady. Today, Eliza Doolittle's crudeness and Higgins' dismissal of her were put in the backburner since today was THE day. As soon as the match began, cell phones were pulled out of pockets and score updates were searched for. Higgins and Pickerin made it a point to debate India's chances of winning every two minutes. When rehearsal ended and school got over, people spilled out of their classrooms, sibling urging eacxh other to rush so they could be back in time to catch a good portion of the match. People who usually didn't talk to each other dutifully relied updates to one another. Yes, cricket really is a unifying force.
But I have one question- years after the Partition, why is a cricket match between India and Pakistan more than just a match? Why is it treated like a war? Isn't it time we enjoyed the game just because it was between two great teams, not because it's between two warring nations? It's time to move on, people. It's time to enjoy the spirit of the game, irrespective our political relations with the country we're playing against.
Comments
Post a Comment