Yesterday was July 8, 2015. The day before, July 7, 2015.
Birthdays of two Indian cricket team captains. No, I didn’t celebrate by
cutting cakes but have spent time reading almost every article that spoke about
their achievements and why are they the best captains Indian ever had?
While reading these new articles and the match statistics, I
was quick enough to have memory flashes about few of the matches that I guess I
will never forget and the excitement that I lived through those hours. I never
attempted to write about my liking for the sport or the players, but this time,
I guess I will.
There’s always some kind of craziness and sheer patriotic
feeling that comes up whenever there’s an India-Pakistan match, especially during
the ICC Cricket World Cups. The fact that Pakistan has never won a match
against India makes it even more challenging with every World Cup that takes
place.
World Cup 1992
I must be about seven years old and know only a couple of
names in cricket. To be precise, Sachin Tendulkar, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and
some others. All credits to the cricket crazy family. All I remember was that I
was asked to finish my studies so that I can sit with them and watch the match,
and rejoice when India wins. That I didn’t understand the game didn’t matter
because I knew which was Out, a Six and a Four. I might’ve missed out on the
technicalities of the match but enjoyed it thoroughly on our black & white
TV.
World Cup 1996
This one is being played in the Indian sub-continent and the
expectations from India is sky-high. I knew all the players, thanks to playing
book cricket with my cousin throughout these years, and was prepared for the
match. I finished my studies, prepared for the tests and watched the match,
this time on our Philips colour TV.
PS: For this match, superstitions of all kinds were on the
highest level. I was even made to sneeze to make fall of quick wickets happen.
World Cup 2003
This one was special. Sourav Ganguly was the captain and the
match was being played at a time when India was already on a winning spree. We
wanted to win at any cost and we won. Sachin Tendulkar played with an injury
and scored 98. The bowlers were fantastic. And since I was on the verge of
completing my school years, I only needed to complete my projects and studies
and convince my Mom that I wouldn’t be wasting my time. I even remember
stepping out of the house and praying at a local temple for India’s win!
World Cup 2011
India would qualify for the finals if we win against
Pakistan in this high-voltage semi-final match. This was the first time I realised
how difficult it is to tell a convincing lie to your boss so that you return
home early and get to watch the match. We were given strict instructions that
we have to complete the designated 9 hours and then only go home. And this was
the time I wished how the Taxi should have a tiny TV or I should have one so
that I do not miss out on any of the actions. I reached, watched and rejoiced
the win, with a secret desire that I get a phone with a TV in it!
World Cup 2015
This was the first match India would be playing in this
series and its against Pakistan. I was returning from Kolkata to Bangalore and
it was killing me that I was missing out watching the live match. Yes, this
time though I had a smartphone with me, I didn’t have the app that streamed the
live match. I bugged the cab driver so much that he made sure I reach home as
early as possible. Well, I chose to hang out at my friend’s place so that we
can watch the match together and rejoice the winning spree.
Things have changed drastically from the 1992 world cup to
the recent one. It’s now convenient enough to access live information in your
phone and be updated. But not all browsers help you watch and enjoy these
moments. UC browser (http://www.ucweb.com/)
has been successful in getting this problem solved. With UC Cricket, you can
watch live matches irrespective of the place you are in. So, now, I do not need
to lie to my boss, instead complete my work hours as we both watch the match at
our convenience! ;)
