Live access to the ever-entertaining India-Pakistan Cricket Rivalry!

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! ;)