The two teams and one funeral

If Paris Hilton ever suffered from lack of attention, she should get herself hooked onto to the Indian cricket team. She may not be able to play cricket (well, not as well as Bangladesh atleast!), but she can be "seen" with a cricketer. And thats not such a bad idea, since Mr. John isn't really the flavor of this month.

The Indian cricket team is the most adored, and alternately hated, team in the world. They grab more column inches in most sections of the paper (forget sports, the page 3 and biz journos live off them). And when such demi-gods lose to our neighbouring mortals, the reactions are, quite obviously, very strong. Strong enough to "demolish a house under-construction". The effigy-burning is quite a common phenomenon by now, and so, the news channels don't really bother covering them. In these situations, the country is split in two. One half of them believe that the team would do better to take the next flight back home. The other, probably influenced by the "ladega toh jeetega" campaign, believe that India should fight back. For the cricketers, I guess all this makes little difference because they were butchered nano-seconds are the loss.

Whether the cricketers should be kept under such tight scrutiny and whether cricket is over-hyped is a question which is nearing the end of its time. I think the media has sucked all the money it can from the question. But there is another aspect of reporting, which carries an implicit message. That there are two teams when India talks about cricket. Not one.. but two! The other being our very fervent, lost-to-us-in-all-world-cup-matches neighbour.

On saturday night, the top two stories of the news generated mixed reactions. The first about India's defeat to Bangladesh. The second about Pakistan's exit from the world cup, thanks to the one-day-wonder Ireland. The Irish announced their arrival on the international scene with a big-bang win over Pakistan.

Indians therefore had two things on their mind. India's loss, which meant that India may return without even entering the second round. Pakistan's exit, which in some convoluted minds (like mine) meant that India had after beaten Pakistan to the post. India may well return, but Pakistan returns earlier! A small consolation, you may think, but in India, its a big prize. My condolences to the advertisers if India does come back before next weekend.

In all this commotion, there was a tragedy which put all the events in a different perspective. The death of the Pakistani coach, Bob Woolmer, who was widely regarded as the pioneer of modern coaching techniques. That filled me with (a shock to begin with, and) a sadness which overshadowed everything else. I hope this world cup does not claim any more victims. It simply isn't worth it.

I always like to end on a happy note, but I think it is impossible to do so for this article. I hope India reaches the second round, and wins the world cup. Thats a hope, with a rider. Even if we don't win one more match in this world cup, I..... wouldn't blame any of the cricketers.