story of WC 2007

“We prepared for super eights better than the Indian cricket team. We are here they are not!”

This banner more or less sums up the frustration of Indian supporters in carribean. Even with India not qualifying, and after approximately 70% cancellations there were still so many Indians out there. But there was another set of people who were not as much but a lot disappointed – The Bajans.

We were talking to one of the owner of a small shop who after learning that we are Indians, was very sympathetic towards us.

“Its sad that India did not qualify man. What happened to your team?”

“Yeah, it’s not great but to think of it, it is good for cricket right - Small teams like Bangladesh defeating India and coming into super eights.”

“Nothing is good about it. Bangladeshis are poor people! They don’t come here and spend money. Man so many Indians would be watching the games in bars and pubs in India. They would have been here spending money if India had qualified.”

“But when small teams like Bangladesh and Ireland qualify then it will make cricket more global.”

“Oh yes, Ireland is a nice team. Man, Irish people spend so much money. I hope the final is between Ireland and Australia.”

He does not care about cricket, how it can globalize, how these very matches make it interesting – he only cares about how to make money out of it. This incidence reminded me of a line I read in motorcycle diaries

“Man can think of lot of things, from the loftiest of meditations on philosophy to the most desperate longing for a bowl of soup – in total accord with the state of his stomach.”