Cricket World Cup 2011, the biggest cricketing extravaganza, has begun. With this begins the 49 days & nights of non-stop cricket and its analysis - to be beamed live across the world. By a rough estimate, about 0.35 billion people in India alone would watch this event, on day to day basis. Even if they do not remain glued to their TV sets or view the score cards on the office PCs for the full length of the game, still, more than a billion hours of productive work time would go in watching, gathering score information and discussing nuances of cricket! However, the good thing is that the common man will at least be able to divert his mind, for some time, away from all the negativities of scams, loots, inflation, etc.
It is said that war unites the citizens of a country. People also come closer when there is sense of insecurity and helplessness due to disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes. Cricket is one more thing, in India, that brings us together! No other sports or event is able to generate so much passion for the country. That is the beauty of cricket, and hence, it is not important whether one understands Cricket or not!
It has been a long time since India won this cup in 1983. It was June, and I was a free bird after passing Class XII, with no worries of studies and exams. We had no TV at home, so I had to take permission from parents to allow me to watch the match finals at a friend’s home. They had a Black & White TV, a great luxury in those days! I still remember the butterflies in my stomach during the match, as if I myself was there on the field! Though, I have a reasonably good TV now, I won’t be able to follow every match; but I would certainly like to feel the same way, on April 2nd , 2011, sitting along with my wife and children, glued to the TV set, cheering for India!
Today’s win in the warm up match against Australia, though doesn’t guarantee future wins; but it should help Team India in bolstering itself, in moving forward with a firm grip on the ball and the bat with springs under their feet!
Good luck to MSD and his team! Indiyaaaaa..., Indiyaa!
Madhukar Mohan
Madhukar,
ReplyDeleteGreat article!! But I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the world population is around 6 Billion. So the vieweship could not be possibly be 35 billion. Please revise and enlighten us with true estimated viewership.
Dear Gary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing the error, the figure should be 0.35 billion instead of 35 billion. This is considering about 1.2 billion Indian population, with estimated 60% of male population taking interest in cricket and about 10% female population. I hope, this clarifies. I sincerely thank you once again.
very nice post liked 2 much.
ReplyDeletenice post !!
ReplyDeletestaring:- the "UNITY" point...
India is really a country obsessed with cricket. I was expecting you to come up with some articles over the 34th National Games being held at Ranchi. Some spectacular performances, some of the 'first of its kind facilities', mismanagements........ a lot of things there to bring to 'an ordinary indian'.
ReplyDeleteEven Your MSD went there to cheer them up !!!!