Likeable New Zealand, but please don’t take the Cup home

By K.R. Nayar
From Narendra Modi Stadium

Ahmedabad. It’s not cricketers alone who prepare hard for the final but also the fans, though they have their net practice sessions in tea shops and at homes. There are groups that have pooled money to celebrate the whole day and also keep some aside for late-night celebrations if India emerge champions. In the 2023 ICC 50-over World Cup, all such planning was busted after Australia beat India by six wickets here, and walking out after that match with the crowd was like being part of a funeral procession.

A new cheerleader for Suryakumar Yadav. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Cheer leaders new and old

The cheerleaders of Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni paint their whole bodies in Indian flag colours 24 hours before the start of the match. Now, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav too has a cheerleader who has painted his body exactly like the fans of Tendulkar and Dhoni. Even if the aura that Tendulkar and Dhoni possessed is ageing, that is not the case with the emotions of these cheerleaders towards these two greats. Heroes may retire, records may change, but devotion towards heroes in Indian cricket simply does not believe in retirement.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's hugely travelled cheerleader. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

When a whole country may forget their dinner

A cricket World Cup final is that rare day when literally the whole of India may not have their dinner and sometimes even forget to breathe. This T20 World Cup, especially through semifinal 2, has announced that one need not go to a movie to watch a thriller. The ICC is living up to its slogan: “Feel the thrill.”

Likeable New Zealand can be perfect guests

Indian fans carry a delicious mix of emotions like the tasty Gujarati dishes. There are many who secretly admire New Zealand because they are polite, humble, and play cricket like gentlemen are supposed to. Given that they barely boast or complain, they are seen as the nicest people in world cricket. However, the admiration for them has a clear boundary- in the final they should behave like perfect guests; enjoy the hospitality, smile politely, but they must not take away the Cup from the host.

Kasargod Uppu Mutte 

Gujarat is well known for its delicious sweets. Most of these outlets are ready to meet the huge demand should India win the final. With a large number of fans having reached here from different parts of India, the sale of sweets has already increased. But the good thing is that the owners have been good enough not to increase the prices of sweets despite the huge demand.

Kasargod Uppu Mutta. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

The best of ice creams and sweet dishes were served in the press box during India’s match against South Africa. In the press box at Wankhede, a dish named Kasargod Uppu Mutta (egg) was served. Has this Kerala dish emerged due to Sanju Samson’s splendid show in this World Cup? In Indian cricket, even food sometimes follows form.

The whole Mumbai press box travelled to Ahmedabad in Vande Bharat. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Cricket talk on the wheels

The Vande Bharat train journey from Mumbai to Ahmedabad should have actually been titled “Cricket Talk on the Wheels.” There were so many journalists on the train that it seemed as if the Mumbai press box itself had decided to travel to Ahmedabad for the final. All passengers found it far tastier to talk about cricket and whether India would win the final rather than focus on the breakfast served along with Thepla — a popular Gujarati dish. Thepla waited patiently on plates while debates on batting order, bowling plans and lucky charms travelled at bullet-train speed.

When Vande Bharat went past Anand. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

It was with pride that everyone caught a glimpse of Anand, the birthplace of Axar Patel, who took those brilliant catches in the semifinal, along the way. The Anand Milk Union Limited, popularly known as Amul, in its latest pun-filled billboard advertisement has called Samson ‘Sanju Slamson,’ once again proving that when India plays well, even corporates turn into cricket commentators.

Television’s day

Firecrackers are all ready for sale, just in case India wins, but till then they have been wrapped in their cases. Though the stadium capacity is 100,000, there are many fans who were unable to get tickets. For them, like all over India, on the day of the final the television set becomes the most important object in every house. The pressure on India as hosts in the final and the expectations from them can be felt everywhere. No wonder Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav candidly admitted that one cannot escape the pressure of playing at home.

Sky and Ahmedabad sky

Surely, not only Yadav, but every team member can be asked if they can beat New Zealand. If India lose, it will be a national disaster, with only a few consoling themselves saying, “It’s only a game.” In all probability, not only in the stadium but the entire nation will sit on the edge of their seats. A lot will depend on the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav, who is addressed as Sky. The whole nation is waiting for that one moment when celebration explodes like fireworks over Ahmedabad’s night sky. Can Sky and his boys paint the sky blue with joy?