Yesterday, the importance of this game increased. India was in the semi-final, playing their biggest rival - Pakistan. These countries are not only cricket rivals...they are politically unfriendly. However, the front page of yesterday's paper showed that sports have a way of softening hard feelings. Prior to the game, political leaders from both countries agreed to work together on a few outstanding issues.
Back to the game...
It started at 2:30 yesterday. The hotel restaurant set up 3 big screen TVs, so Benjamin and I stopped for a juice shortly after the game started to check out the environment. We sat toward the back with the other "westerners" that didn't have a clue about the game. The loud whistles, horns, & drums that the other patrons were using eventually drove us out.
Rene & Dominic came up to our apartment at 9:30 to watch the game (yes, the game had been going on for 7 hours and was still not done). Dominic had briefed Rene on the basics of the game on the way home, so then Rene explained it to me. Understanding the game certainly made it more enjoyable to watch. I think the game finally ended at 11pm...and INDIA WON!!!
So, naturally, noisy India filled the sky with fireworks and the horns, whistles, drums continued.
Since India won the semi-final...that means it is time for the final. This Saturday, India will play Sri Lanka in the Final in Mumbai. I can't imagine how wild India will get during & after this game...to be honest, I'm a bit nervous about how loud the noise will be and how long into the night it will last if India wins.
By the way, if you think 9.5 hours is a long game...there is a version of Cricket (the original version) that lasts 5 or more days!! This long version still exists and is played from time to time.
Go INDIA!!
Does cricket have a long season like soccer does? If so keeping up with your favorite team could take up an amazing amount of time.
ReplyDeleteIf there is one thing that I like about sports it is the togetherness it seems to bring people.
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