When the WCC is done and dusted, and the winner announced (hopefully India), it may be time to look back and see how we have fared as a cricketing nation. We may win it a third time, and there are both batting and bowling records to remember and cherish but as a people for whom cricket is religion, we should ask if we have been true to that spirit.
It is well known and seen by all that when a side opposing India knocks off the runs, hits sixes, the crowds go silent. Why can’t we be sporting and clap for the other side? Is there anything wrong? Does it make us less patriotic? Sadly, that has been the case with this WCC where we are LOATHE to acknowledge another side if it’s doing well, or wins. This is contrary to the spirit of the game, and for a country that is a damn-good side in the game, this is not acceptable.
The true sporting spirit requires us to stand up and applaud when the other side does well, maybe even win. We like to put out into the social domain all our achievements and those of friends and family, and count the likes, and thumbs ups. How about doing that for a worthy opponent. Many of today’s cricket fans may have been very young or yet unborn when India won the Cup in 1983. The stadium stood to a man to acknowledge a nation that no one ever expected to win. How would we feel if the fans of other countries remained silent? Whether we win or not on 19th November, let’s get the spirit back.
