No other match draws the kind of attention and creates a stir like an India-Pakistan cricket match does. War paint smeared on their faces, cricket fans across the country drop everything else to be able to catch the action on field; be it at home, a sports bar or for the lucky few at the stadium. With the World Cup just around the corner and an India-Pakistan match scheduled for Sunday the excitement is palpable amongst fans of the game.
Given India’s winning streak against Pakistan in the last five encounters, team India fans are sure the team will have no trouble beating their opponents this time round too. Rahul T., a trainer at Reliance Capital, says, “I am waiting to watch the two teams clash on field and I’m sure India will win once again. It’s going to be an Indian batsmen versus Pakistani bowlers kind of a game and all said and done the Indian batsman are a strong bunch.”
Naresh Veeravalli, an engineer on the other hand is making elaborate plans to catch Sunday’s game with his friends. “There’s no way I’m missing this game and I’ll probably get together with friends either at a sports bar or at one of our homes to watch it. I’m sure India will win the match, they always do against Pakistan,” he says.
Though die-hard team India fans, some people aren’t sure of the squad’s performance in the forthcoming World Cup. “I have a bad feeling that India might lose this match against Pakistan. They have not been faring too well of late, especially against A-listed teams; so India’s win against Pakistan seems doubtful. Nevertheless I’m quite excited about the match and I hope the team makes it,” says Gurishab Singh, a restaurateur, adding, “Unfortunately I will be working at the restaurant on Sunday since it’s a busy day business wise. However, I hope to catch snatches of the match on the television set that we have there.”
The match being slotted on a Sunday has definitely come as a bonus for cricket lovers across the city. “I am so glad it is over the weekend. I’m going to plant myself in front of the television for the entire day watching the match,” says Rahul.
The baritoneThe fact that Amitabh Bachchan will be donning the role of a commentator for Sunday’s game has created quite a buzz among cricket fans, even if they are mixed reactions. “I’m sure Amitabh Bachchan’s voice will be a crowd-puller and I hope that it will be different and good for a change,” says Gurishab. For Preeti Kumar, a software professional, though Amitabh Bachchan’s commentary is a huge plus. “It is one of the most anticipated matches of the season and add to that Big B’s commentary and you have a cracker of a combination. I think it will add a lot more character to the game on Sunday.”
Others like Narayana Rao, a stock broker, though have their scepticism. “I am not sure if he has any cricket knowledge. But then we won’t really know till we actually hear him during the game. What has me excited is the fact that it’s a match between India and Pakistan; their matches are always thrilling. Considering India has never lost against Pakistan in the last five encounters, I’m sure they won’t break their winning streak this time either,” he says.
