Indian craze for Cricket

Last Updated 12/28/2006 06:08 AM Chandan Sharma

It would not be possible to explain the craze for cricket in India. No matter how intense and exhilarating vocabulary is used, I will not be able to do justice to the craze for cricket in this country which is going to play the host to Commonwealth games scheduled to be held in tenth year of the new millennium. Nothing seems to dampen the fad for this game. The fans simply refuse to surrender to the scorching sun, hailing rains, trailing traffic or be it fanatic crowd. In fact, every soul pouring in just adds to fervor. Whenever the game is put off by bad weather conditions, the crowd in the stands will wait till eternity praying and hoping the game to start. One would be able to justify the spirit of those in the stands somehow, but it would take years for anybody to digest the maniacal craze of those who swarm the stadiums and have no chance to get in. But the game has some kind of spell on all these fans which does not let their hope and zeal fade till the game is over or is officially called off.

Traffic conditions are thrown out of the gear in any city that falls prey to host a single game of cricket, more so if the “Men in Blue” are a part of it. The complete traffic police of the township is deployed at the roads leading to the stadium staging the game. Despite exhaustive efforts of the cops, the traffic around the stadium remains out of control throughout the day. However, all the meager tea-stalls and other food vendors make hay in the sunlight of this game and do brisk business.

If you think that such a crowd would be too huge to imagine, then be ready to receive another piece of information. This fan following is only a small percentage when compared to those who watch the game on televisions or listen to the commentary on radios. It is not necessary to own a television or radio to become a spectator or listener. Fans would stop by at any place where they get a glimpse of the game or where the commentary is audible. The complete mob at a market place, including the shopkeepers, would gather on a single shop displaying a television! The otherwise arrogant shopkeeper who switches-off the television to ward-off unwanted onlookers, or positions the set in a manner so that nobody gets the slightest of view, would also reposition the idiot-box so that it is easily visible. A high platform ensures the visibility not just for curious on-lookers but for those also who do not have enough time to stand, but will watch the screen while passing by.

The country has witnessed the saga of cricket, World Cup, not just once. Cricket World Cup was staged here in the year 1987. India got another opportunity to share the honor in the year 1996 along with two other cricket-playing countries which are a part of the sub-continent. Capital city of the country proved to be a successful arena for IX Asian Games. After being a triumphant host to the IX Asian Games held in the year 1982, New Delhi boasts of very modern sports facilities. The event resulted in formation of the Asiad Village in the south of the beautiful capital city. It was ensured that the development such modern facilities is being spread in the whole country.

I talked enough about the fans who witness the game; but those who do not get to witness a match due to other obligations also ensure to keep track of the latest developments in the match. Cellular operators make brisk business when lakhs of messages are sent to know the latest score. Is the figure of “lakhs” seems to be an exaggeration? But this is the craze of cricket in India! If a person stays away from television, he can get updates about the game from anyone around – even a roadside hawker can provide the latest updates of the field. There are unlimited number of discussion taking place at very nook and corner about cricket. Anybody and everybody has some or the other opinion about it and the speakers never run out of people who are more than eager to lend an ear to the knowledge of the game. The barber has his own outlook to share; the vegetable-hawker uplifts his judgment; and even the lift operator would pass on an advice or two for the players.

As soon as a series is about to commence, every normal soul in the nation will start to act, walk and talk like a cricket guru. The person might not be literate enough to calculate “2+2”, but he would definitely know the batting average of the top batsmen in Indian batting order, and that too up to two decimal places! The person who has never played beyond street-cricket, would consider himself intelligent enough to comment on Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy. Searching a person in this nation who does not know anything about the game would definitely turn out to be a wild goose chase. Though it would be so difficult to search a soul in India who has never touched the bat, but is interesting to know that the people offering their expert opinion on the game might not have hold the bat in the last five years or so. Now, how can such a person comment upon Sachin Tendulkar’s batting stance and the effects of his injuries, who last played cricket in an inter-school tournament, probably as a substitute. Well, yes, these are some interesting facts but that’s the craze for the game in India.

Cricket is practiced to the extent of religion in India. However, this is a religion with a difference. It does not divide the masses. It is surprising to know what a great unity factor exists in this game for Indians! The religion “cricket” raises above all the difference of age groups, genders and socioeconomic classifications. People take interest in the game irrespective of India’s position, or even participation. No bigger a passion can be imagined at present for Indian mass.