The India Vs Pakistan match: What India will look like on that epic day
The one match that India must win even if they don’t win the World Cup – which looks terribly likely at this point – is the game against arch-rivals Pakistan. It’s a rivalry that goes well beyond the cricket field and means the world to both sets of fans. This fixture holds historical as well as emotional importance for our cricket frenzied nation, which pretty much comes to a standstill whenever the two teams meet. So here’s what we think India will look like on February 15, 2015.
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Deserted streets
Irrespective of the importance of the match in that particular series or tournament, we Indians consider it almost a sin not to watch an India-Pakistan match. Yes, we display our love for the motherland by watching the match, regardless of which country we are in. If you’re in India, you’ve probably already made plans to watch the game, whether at home, at a friend’s place, or somewhere else. So you’re not about to waste precious match time loitering in the streets or getting to your destination.
2. Crowded sports bars and pubs
Those of us living in metros, or away from families, usually make it a point to watch the match at popular sports bars or pubs. The luckier among us wangle invites to friends’ match parties. Buddies, new friends, unlimited beer, and loud cheer: the excitement touches new highs.
3. Entire families hypnotized by their TV screens
Nana-Naani, Appa Amma, Bhā’i bōna, and even two-year old Bablu are going to be glued to the TV. The food and snacks are either cooked in advance or pre-ordered. It’s like a festival.
4. Ceremonies of worship for both gods and cricketers
We display more faith in the almighty than on any other day – with the possible exception of exam or interview days. Oh, yes, some of them take human avatars too, do our batting demigods and bowling deities. We appease them all with havans and pujas. Om cricketayah namaha!
5. Crowds gathered in front of TV showrooms
Not all of us are lucky enough to have a day off, even though it’s a Sunday this time. But we still make it a point to get updates on the state of play. It’s so much fun to watch the match on so many screens at once at the TV showrooms. The commentary by the person standing next to us is actually much more fun than the official version!
6. Guys getting special haircuts
Yes, the local barber sometimes does it better than the stylists in those air-conditioned parlours. A map of India, the image of the World Cup, and the names of our favourite cricketers are our top choices. Sometimes, we get our hair tinted in India’s colours too.
7. The entire country expressing happiness or anguish on Twitter – even the Prime Minister
Twitter is our new mantra. Be it good batting, bad bowling, or a missed catch, everyone has a take on everything and wants the world to know. And it’s not just us: Bollywood celebrities, political leaders and former cricketers will all be extra vocal on Twitter that day.
8. From malls to restaurants to kiranas, everybody organising screenings
Entrepreneurs get more innovative, creating cricket-centric ambiences and special menus. Even the small kirana shopowners are not to be left behind. They ensure that their small TV becomes the centre of attraction for customers, who, in turn reward this gesture by buying snacks to nibble on during the match.
9. Face painting becomes the hippest fashion statement
Fashion conscious Indians, especially the younger lot, will leave no stone unturned to make a fashion statement that day. From face painting to nail art, we do it all, with Indian cricket being the central theme.
10. India feels more united than ever
If there were some technology to measure the pulse of patriotism, the numbers would definitely cross the maximum on match day. The day also sees the highest sales figures for the national flag, apart, of course, from Independence day. Loud cheers of “Bharat mata ki jai” reverberate every so often.
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