A chance to cover an overseas cricket tour, like the just concluded Indian adventure in England, is a privilege. A privilege because, like the Indian cricket team, the accredited media persons travelling as part of the contingent are also representing their country – shaping the discourse and the critical lens through which, for instance, this watershed tour for a young team will be viewed by the public and posterity.
During this one-and-half-month tour, the visiting media persons became an integral part of a cricket culture that we all not only soaked up, but also etched and formed with our presence. Right from the acquaintances we made or friendships we struck up in the press box, to the discussions over lunch at Edgbaston or tea at Lord’s. I remember one of the local photojournalists telling me that I simply had to get the scones at Lord’s, served in the media box during teatime. ‘They’re the very best,’ he said, and we exchanged notes on scones eaten over the years!
Also Read: How cricket and RevSportz forged an imagined community
Another English journalist said cricketers were relatively easy to access if you had to interview them, at which I raised my eyebrows and told them that back home, it would probably be hardest to get an interview with one of the playing eleven, given what big stars our cricketers are, and all the hype and security around them. Quite a different culture, and rather more refreshing, if I may say so, was witnessed outside Lord’s as our team members captured Jofra Archer arrive on match day on his bike! While that was something unheard of for us, the local journalists didn’t seem greatly impressed. ‘Must have missed the bus,’ one of remarked.
Also very different, of course, is the stadium culture in our two countries. In England, the beer flows like water, and the drunks are a menace, especially if you were trying to do a post-play show from in front of the stadium. On the other hand, where Indian stadiums – including the hallowed Eden Gardens – stink to high heaven of human bio waste even as you enter, each of the English stadiums offers decent facilities, and food for spectators. That’s, of course, loaded fries, fish and chips and the ubiquitous burger.
Finally, there was one ground where two distinct cricket cultures came together. I had for some time felt that Indian fans were no match for the chanting and booing English ones, and the way their support carried their team, even in the lowest of moments. Indians, I thought, lacked that aggressiveness for the most part, and faded away a bit if the team was looking at a loss or defeat.
However, Indian supporters, during the last two days of the high-octane final Test at The Oval, changed my mind. With their aggressive support, and never-say-die attitude, they almost carried the team back from certain defeat, and on their shoulders. The English supporters truly dimmed in comparison.
Finally, during the last hour of that game, the Indian media turned the normally staid outer press seating into a support riot. Backs were thumped, the air was punched, and voices roared with each wicket taken by Mohammad Siraj or the one taken by Prasidh Krishna. Every kind of superstition was invoked, leaving our British colleagues somewhat dumbstruck.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news