World Cup – The Real Heroes

My neighbor Krishnan sahib believes that it was none other than Sunil Gavaskar who started it all. Though superstition has existed amongst cricketers since ages, according to him, it was Sunil Gavaskar who gave it respectability and mass following. 

In one of his memorable matches, narrates Krishnan, Sunil got out while trying to hook the ball and broke his golden neck chain in the bargain. While on his way to the pavilion, Sunil looked at the broken chain and shook his head – and to many, it implied that he got out because the chain broke. The TV cameras captured the scene in all its glory and that shot got etched in the memory of millions of cricket-lovers all over the country. As it is Indians are a superstitious lot and that incident merely strengthened their belief.

The Amaranths with their red hankies dangling out of their pockets and those like David Shepherd the umpire who lifted one leg until the scoreboard moved from “Nelson numbers”, have only given the necessary impetus. Now it has spilled over from the playing field to the drawing rooms of the spectators though the TV screens.

Take Shankar, a diehard Indian supporter who does not miss a single cricket match, for example. The first world cup encounter for Indians with the South Africans was in progress when I dropped in at his flat (it is very boring to watch a cricket match if you have no one to share your comments about the happening on the field). I found him hopping from his sofa to divan to the mat spread on the floor and finally standing – believe it or not – on one leg. To my quizzical look, he pointed out that the Africans were running away with match and India needed a wicket desperately. His belief, that if he changed his seat or position, South African wicket would fall proved right, when Chahal struck immediately. He was not surprised, still standing in one leg, Shankar told me. He has done it before, without fail.

Why talk of others? Yours truly, an ardent cricket lover and an Indian supporter to boot, has been bestowed with an unfortunate curse. Whenever I take leave and keep all my engagements aside to watch the Indian players in action, they lose badly. My predicament does not end there. The next day, I have to face an angry boss and put up with the snide remarks of colleagues, not to mention a day’s leave lost. Driven to desperation by my plight, I have saved many a match for India by staying away – not only from TV sets and stadiums, I keep away even from scores streaming from mobile, despite as strong urge to be a party to the cheering crowd. In the hearts of my heart, I know that the cheering crowd and the players owe these cheers to me.

My good friend Krishnan takes the cake. His wife not only hates cricket but refuses to cook on days when he takes leave to watch the match on TV, resulting in poor Krishnan spending the night without sleep on an empty stomach. However, one day, to his utter disbelief, he found that the only time his wife sat through despite protesting, India won the match despite heavy odds. Much did he try to persuade her, she refused to sit through the next match, needless to say, India lost.

When I dropped in to see Krishnan when Indian’s took on Australia in the World Cup, I was surprised to see Mrs. Krishnan sitting on the divan and enjoying the match while a pile of Idlis vanished from her plate. And, dear Krishnan was toiling inside the humid kitchen, stirring the sambar, taking out steaming Idlis and every now and then, peeking over his shoulder to get a view of the TV. Later, I learnt that Krishnan has made a deal with his wife that he would cook on the days the wife watches the match: He would go to any length to make the Indians bring back the World cup, said Krishnan.

The message must be clear; If India wins the World Cup, it is not just because of the efforts of Bhumra, Chahal, Sharma, Kohli. Dhoni or Dhavan; millions of Krishnans and Shankars and of course, your truelies, help the hapless players in their own ways, notwithstanding the hardship they face.

Are Kohli’s and Dhoni’s ready to welcome all of us to England to lift the Cup?