India versus Pakistan – the moment you mention this, your eyes light up. For those who fought conventional wars with the (un)friendly neighbours across the border in 1965 and 1971 and even during Kargil, there are unforgettable memories. The same applies to the battlefield called cricket, where India-Pakistan is high pitched, shrill and raises the temperature. Whether you’re an ardent fan or just a casual onlooker, most will stop to talk of this one contest each time the two countries battle across the 22 yards with a white ball.
As the cricket caravan rolled into Ahmedabad, cricket was the flavour and war was the theme. Frankly speaking, cricket is not war, it is just a game. Try telling this to many cricket fans, and they will maul you. The late Mike Marqusee, a cricket sociologist, borrowed from George Orwell and spoke of India-Pakistan cricket being “War Minus The Shooting”. Indeed, he was not wrong, for he had watched and covered cricket in the subcontinent through a different prism.
In the absence of bilateral cricket contests between India and Pakistan for over a decade, any match-up between these two teams has to be in the Asia Cup or the World Cup. Oh yes, possibly even the Asian Games. Very recently, in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, India were too strong for Pakistan in hockey, as well as kabaddi.
To state that sport in Pakistan is in the doldrums would be stating the obvious. However, the die-hard Pakistani cricket fan would beg to differ. From Shoaib Akhtar to other Pakistani fans in Lahore, Karachi and even Dubai, the unanimous theme is they will beat India this time.
Sample this. Hotels in Ahmedabad are so full that some have even booked hospital room beds for two nights so that they do not have to roam the streets. Such madness is unheard of in sports. Not even football can provoke such passion or emotions. Indian fans, in the millions, want Rohit Sharma and his Men in Blue to adopt an aggressive approach.
Saturday afternoon, one more time, there will be war cries from the Narendra Modi Stadium, on the streets and in households. TV sets may be the object of violence if India end up losing. Frankly speaking, anything can happen. Agreed, India are in great form, solid and looking to grab the World Cup.
That does not mean Pakistan will be a bystander. Babar Azam knows there is intense pressure. But then, every Pakistan captain who has come to India knows the pitch will be testing, and fans will be in blue, not green. What matters is cricket, what matters is how the teams handle the cauldron-like atmosphere.
For those who have heard of gladiators in a contest in old Roman amphitheatres, the Narendra Modi Stadium will be no different. Tickets are impossible to get for this match. With a capacity of well over 100,000 and a 360-degree view, the stadium is incredible. You could be seated anywhere inside and yet get a glimpse of the proceedings and replays on giant screens.
A few years ago, one may have wondered why Ahmedabad, a city better known for business and people who speak on share markets, was hosting a marquee cricket contest. Well, times have changed. The Gujarat Cricket Association deserves credit for putting in place such a wonderful cricket venue which leaves the historic MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) in the shade.
Ahmedabad has changed, and the way it has hosted IPL matches is proof that they are capable of putting on a good show. In less than 48 hours, Navratra will be on and Gujarat will jive to the Garbha dance. This is a festival period, indeed. It is also a time to celebrate cricket, with captivating white-ball contests. So many SWOT analyses have been done, and so many experts have given their take on what will happen on Saturday. If cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, Ahmedabad is the place that will define it on October 14.
The security apparatus is watertight. Media friends from across the border have got their visas at the last minute and are landing in time for the match. There is a bit of cricket in every Indian and Pakistani, so how could one not report on this mother of all battles?
It does not matter if you do not belong to conventional media platforms. There is another more virulent platform, which works at rocket speed, called social media.
You can share your thoughts in so many ways – Twitter, now X, Facebook, Instagram and much more. There is freedom of the press and social media in India. Just be sensitive enough to ensure that you post nothing ugly on social media. Cricket is just a game, not war. Let’s leave that to the Generals and foot soldiers guarding our frontiers.