India vs Pak is not war, it’s just a cricket contest
Raising the pitch in TV studios and waging war on social media is no use.
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India Pakistan players greet each other after match was called off (Via AFP)
One usually curses the “Rain God” when a cricket match gets washed out. On Saturday night in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, and India, many cricket fans heaved a sigh of relief as the contest between the traditional rivals in the Asia Cup had to be abandoned.
First things first, India vs Pakistan has been hyped so high, that sense of proportion gets tossed out of the window. There is a war cry in TV channel rooms, on social media, and almost everywhere. The worst is when people compare it with war, Kargil 1999 and so on.
Dude, this is just a cricket match. After Kargil and many proxy wars which the terror state of Pakistan has waged on the border day in and day out, irrespective of who is in power, cricket has taken place. Hockey matches have also taken place in Chennai recently in the Asian Champions Trophy. There is no way India will tour Pakistan as relations between the two countries are more than strained.
Everyone is aware of the hype and hoopla surrounding the India vs Pakistan match in the ICC World Cup as well to be held in Ahmedabad in October. Ticket rates are high, hotel rates are beyond reach. All this is good for the folks who are making money out of it. Yet, for those who are pure cricket lovers, the lack of sense of proportion is maddening.
What one witnessed on Saturday, virtually, with rain in Pallekele interrupting the match was in poor taste. Social media was pure vitriol. And with captain Rohit Sharma failing, something normal, and Virat Kohli also not producing a big knock, the anger was bizarre. Agreed, the failure of these two marquee players hurts fans but to troll them, and question why they are friends with the Pakistan cricketers before the match is stupidity.
Only pure cricket should be the takeaway from India vs Pak
Pure cricket should ensure fans cheer and clap the Pakistan fast bowling battery, where Harris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi were a class act. There is a certain pedigree about the Pak fast bowlers over the decades. Since the time of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, to name a few, Pak and pace have spelled terror for India. Hang on, terror as in troubling the batsmen/batters, not the killing types with guns.
The pace, swing, reverse swing, and mastery in all conditions is a tribute to the Pak pace pack. How they produce such wonderful bowlers is no mystery. These blokes are naturally fast, and have the great quality to move the ball even on dead wickets. And in Sri Lanka, they are enjoying the conditions. Should not fans relish this cricket and clap, rather than talk of Kargil and other conventional wars?
Yes, the war won by Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya against the hostile Pak bowling was a treat to watch. The two batters showed character and hunger. One needs to soak in this stuff, not go overboard on banter which borders on war. This will do no good to Team India.
There is every possibility there could be another India vs Pakistan contest in the Asia Cup, possibly a final. If that happens, just lap up the cricket, please. Social media, TV anchors mouthing and frothing poison, toxic stuff is not needed. Cricket must be consumed as a sport, not converted into a war. It just does not exist. Off the field, if Kohli and the Pakistan cricketers are friendly, there is nothing wrong with it. To say shaking hands with those who killed our soldiers is a wrong comparison.
Skirmishes on the border, dealing with terrorists and infiltrators in the Kashmir Valley have been on for decades. A country like Pakistan which cannot revive its economy will continue to fund terror. That’s their way of life, irrespective of who is in power. A state run as a proxy by the Pak Army and ISI will never want peace.
Yet, for Indians to hype India vs Pak cricket, hockey, and sporting contests as war minus the shooting stinks. Enjoy the sports contests, they will be there forever. Raising the pitch in TV studios and waging war on social media is no use. Let those who survive on TRP (television ratings) produce bilge. The sane fans, in millions at home, need to maintain their sanity and sanctity.
Certainly, more power to India in contests against Pakistan. Spare the expletives. Please.
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S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)