What is the religion of the majority of people in India? No, it has nothing to do with divine intervention…its cricket. No matter whom you worship, no matter if you come from a poverty stricken obscure village in Orissa or the elite ambiance of Delhi (my city), and no matter how much you earn, the one thing that truly unites Indian is Cricket.

Cricket in my growing years was known for individual rivalries, I distinctly remember the fierce battle between Alan Donald(South Africa) and Mike Atherton(England), Alec Stewart(Eng) and Shaun Pollock(SA) acting as seconds in the duel. Who can forget the tense periods of play between Atherton and Glen Mcgrath(Australia), the pure joy of seeing two perfect gentlemen, two perfect players trying their hardest to knock each other off; the persistent bowling of Darren Gough(Eng) and the stiff resistance of Mark Waugh(Aus)? And the mother of all clashes, the India Pakistan encounters…Two teams trying to annihilate each other.

Don’t you still remember the first match you watched with your dad and wondering what the hell is going on? I still remember the handsome stroke play of a young Inzamam ul haq(Pakistan) when he ripped apart all the bowling attacks to win the world cup for his country(1992).

 

The first match I watched at home was WI vs. New Zealand in WI. Watching it late into the nights with my father and a cousin brother on a brand new cable connection was an enthralling experience. That was way back in 1995 …may be, I m not so sure of the years. Cricket has been a part of me ever since.