The English who’d invented this ‘jolly good game’ had also attributed an iconic line ‘Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties !’ to it. At times, it feels glorious when you lift the World Cup just as it was slipping out, as in 2019 at home. Ironically, it must feel inglorious (for the English), when the team that they edged out then, hands them one of the biggest and most telling defeats in a World Cup Opening encounter four years later !
Avid cricket followers would find some uncanny similarities between the first fixture of the ODI WC played at Ahmedabad yesterday with the memorable opening match of the IPL played in Bengaluru in April, 2008. Those who witnessed that game, would recall that the Kiwi opener, Brendon McCullam playing for KKR, completely annihilated the RCB team with the most audacious stroke play and scored an unbeaten 158, and all the batters just played around that incredible knock !
Cut to ODI,WC of Oct, 2023 and another Kiwi opener, (not as high profile as Brandon but immensely gifted), Devon Conway hits a scintillating 152 not out and demolishes the English attack with disdainful ease to all corners of the park much to the chagrin and horror of the English supporters and the past Captains, who are now commentators ! It certainly was classy batsmanship from Devon and has instilled fear in the other teams.
There were two major differences though in the above two games spread 15 years apart. Devon had for illustrious company and chemistry, young Rachin Ravindra, making an incredible debut in a World Cup which he himself later called ‘unbelievable’ ! Suddenly everyone is sitting up in awe and want to know more about him. For starters his name- ‘Rachin’ has been created by joining ‘RA’ for Rahul and ’CHIN’ from Sachin, by cricket crazy parents of Indian origin.
The other stark difference from the IPL, 2008 was absence of vociferous crowds and our version of the ‘barmy army’ that are the ‘bread and butter’ of our cricket mania. Empty stands in huge stadiums aren’t great ads for 50 overs games competing against T20 ! People it seems are waiting for Sunday when the ‘Men in Blue’ take on the Aussies. As usual there is a lot of hype and burden of expectations on them. Prayers are also needed.
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