In its intensity, its passion and its sheer scale, Indian
cricket is probably rivalled only by Football. It’s no wonder really
that Indian fans of the game call it their religion. One can also be forgiven
for mistaking it as our national sport instead of field hockey! While my family
and friends are ardent followers of cricket, I’m really more of an indulgent
bystander. However, I also believe that if a sport can unite people across
languages and borders and inspire feelings of national pride and passion, then
we definitely need more of it!
My all-time favorite cricket memory is not about a match I
watched, but a movie involving the sport. Several years ago, we watched the
Hindi film, Lagaan in Chennai (notorious for its parochial pride and
belief that India is divided into Chennai and the rest of India, conveniently
called North India!) Set in the period of British
dominion in the Indian subcontinent, the movie revolved around a small
draught-stricken village exploited by high taxes. When the inhabitants of the
village voice their protest, they are challenged to a game of cricket by the
arrogant English commanding officer. If they won, they could avoid paying taxes
for three years, but if they lost, they would need to pay thrice the tax due.
Learning the alien game and playing for a result that would give
them the much-needed respite, the villagers’ travails unfolded on screen and
found immediate empathy with the rapt audience. Every turn and twist in the
movie was lauded and the final match reached a palpable crescendo, as though it
were a live game! Never before had I witnessed such intense mass emotions and
it seemed like every single person in that audience had only one life goal—to
win the ruddy match! And when the villagers finally won, I kid you not;
the entire theatre rose up on its feet and danced in joy!
