Boria Majumdar in Dubai
The countdown to the Asia Cup final couldn’t have been more tense. Every person I have met here in Dubai has asked me one simple question, “Will there be any issue if we go to the stadium?”
The truth is this game is one of the most politically charged cricket matches of all time. The 1999 World Cup match between India and Pakistan was played against the backdrop of Kargil. In 2003, it was yet again played against the backdrop of war. But the difference between then and now is, there was no social media at the time to push things off the rockers.
This is a social media war. You see memes, tweets, videos, celebrations, statements — everything on social media. And it is impossible to stay off the tension. Both sides will know that whoever handles this build-up better and manages to stay calm will win. Staying calm, may I say, holds the key. Don’t be overcharged, for then you will inevitably make mistakes.
India decided to spend the day in the hotel and did a pool session to bond together. The players also spent time with families. Ahead of the big exam, you don’t need to study till late at night. You know your questions and it is time to relax and visualise. It is also time to just tell yourself that you have prepared for this exam every single day of the year. When Neeraj Chopra was throwing his javelin in Tokyo in 2021, his coach Klaus Bartoneitz famously said to him, “maze karo (have fun)”.
I don’t know what Gautam Gambhir will tell his boys. But what I do know is that Gautam has conducted himself with extreme caution and grace. At no point has he let the emotion take over and for him it has been a big ask. If he passes on this message to the boys, half the job is done.
India, to be fair, have not played their best cricket so far in the tournament. Dropped catches have become a bad habit. The team hasn’t peaked yet. If they do so in the final and play the perfect game, there is no way Pakistan can beat them. With the stakes at their highest, the stage is set. Whoever plays the winning hand will return home as a hero. The players will know it well enough. They will also know that they now need to walk the talk. Suryakumar Yadav will know he has to score and that’s what all his fans will be craving for.
Sachin Tendulkar once told me that his friends had started to remind him of the Centurion game (against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup) a year in advance. They wanted him to stand up and make it count. He did and was worshipped on Shivratri day. With Navratri on, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma have a similar chance. If they deliver, they will have etched themselves into Indian cricketing folklore. It is time to call play in Dubai.
For me personally, I too have Sharmistha and Aisha here finally to ward off the tension. I will keep the RevSportz team all focussed and make sure no one gives in to any provocation. That’s the key for great coverage and that’s what we will do.
Wish Subho Durga Pujo to everyone and hope the Indian team gives everyone back home enough reasons to celebrate.
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