We Are The Champions

We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end 

We are the champions 
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world 

This now legendary song by Queen has become the anthem of winners in all walks of life.  Whether they overcome obstacles, graduate, win a game.  And today, this will be the anthem of every Indian.  For the first time in 28 years they took home the 2011 Cricket World Cup.  Congratulations Indian Cricket team, we are so proud of you!

Growing up, I was never really interested in the game.  I did not understand it.  To me, cricket seemed to be all about a player defending 3 sticks from a ball, using his bat.  Somewhere in there was the concept of hitting the ball hard enough to allow him to run away from and back to the three sticks he was defending.  There were terms I didn't understand, that sounded like they would make good cartoon sketches.  "A Fine Leg and a Deep Square Leg".  All my mind's eye could see was a player with two limbs that didn't match.  "Out for a Duck".  I could see someone trying to catch a fleeing, quacking bird.  And "Bowled A Maiden Over".  Now that you get the idea, picture that in your mind!  

But with the advent of television and with little transistor radios becoming so affordable, there came a time when EVERYONE had their pulse on the cricket matches that were being played.  My classmates would bring their little transistor radios to school, and turn them on during the ride in the school bus and at any opportunity they could, just to hear the score.  Eventually, one couldn't help but get on board, as cricket fever swept the nation.  Cricket during the weekend was especially interesting.  The streets were quiet, there was no traffic on the roads, you could almost hear a pin drop.  Once the match was complete, people came out of their houses either jubilant or dejected.  Those days you could see neighborhood children get together and play the game.  Some of them were able to afford the gear, including leg pads.  Others would use whatever they could find.  The less fortunate children who grew up on the streets were especially resourceful.  They would draw three wickets on a wall, use a broken piece of wood as a bat and use a tennis ball to play cricket.  Nobody really cared that they didn't have the right gear.  I remember quite a few times that a crash of glass from a broken window would prematurely end a game, with all the kids scattering away and an indignant neighbor seeking them out.

As time went by, one saw shifts in behavior related to cricket matches, not all of which were moments to be proud.  The political tension between India and Pakistan was taken to the field with some undesirable results.  Politicians used the venue to rile up negative sentiments.  I remember one situation where a politician poured hot asphalt on a playing field.  There was another situation when Pakistan won a match against India.  Coincidentally someone was burning fireworks after that match, which some people perceived as Muslims celebrating Pakistan's victory.  A riot ensued.   These situations were few and far between though, considering the fact that we were talking about millions of people who wanted more than anything in the world, to win.   The enterprising street hawkers would set up a television that people could watch.  The investment was worth it for them, because they drummed up business like you cannot imagine.  Throngs of people clustered around the television set to watch.  Even though people were supposed to be at work or going about their business, nobody really cared.  The match was on.  People stayed up late to watch, and sometimes the matches that were played in other countries went on into the wee hours of the morning.  

That was what cricket fever felt like.  I didn't have to be crazy about the game to be part of it all.  I just had to be able to celebrate when we won.  That wasn't difficult to do.  It was really easy to get caught up in the pure joy that everyone felt from winning.  That is what India is feeling right now.  That is what I am missing the most.

Congratulations again, India.