Cricket world cup 2011 is going to be end today and the entire India is waiting for the finals with an expectation that It will win the world cup once again after 28 years. All eyes are on the demigod of Indian Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar who is expected to make one more ton to reach ton of tons in One day Internationals. Today's Times of India read, 'One match away from Mahatma' pointing that, if India wins, Sachin is to be the Mahatma (or if he completes his 100 centuries?). Nation lives in complete frenzy. Media's hyping the game up more than ever. People are cancelling all their weekend plans for watching the game. TV viewer-ship going all time high, with electricity boards, promising the people that, they would postpone all their repair activities when the match being telecast. With most successful IPL to its credit, India undoubtedly is the new Mecca of cricket and Cricket players are over night millionaires. Cricket, a game played by very less number of nations, predominantly former British colonies, is a rage only in the Indian Continent. Though 85% of the world decides not to play the game, In India its nothing less than a new-age Religion, and almost every one has fallen fanatic about it.There's even a budding model named Poonam Pandey who has promised to bare it all for the Indian team if it wins the cup. She would do it in their dressing room, but wouldn't mind doing it in the stadium for the entire nation if the ICC allows her do so. (she didn't mention Government,she said, ICC. May be she thinks ICC is more powerful than the Government of India) . She even added that, her parents are extremely proud for her as she's doing it for the Team India.
Now, let's come out of the closet of the craze, and go once again through the semi finals that Pakistan lost to India. Was it a real hard-fought battle? Why there was no frustration on Pakistan players after they lost the game? Pak Captain Afridi stood there on the ground and said 'Sorry' to his nation but his expressions told something different.It was a far cry from being sorry. He looked like a new mother handing the baby to her husband with satisfaction in the eyes. He was definitely a relived man. What else could explain the Indian Maestro being droped of catches atleast four times? Why was'nt there any hurry in the Pak players to go agressive in slog overs? It looked like India was adjudged the winner long before the game was actually played. No wonder, that the Pakistan Interior minister Rahman Malik said, that he will keep any eye on the Pakistan players as he doubts them to fix the match. After all Pakistan players are known to be easily available for betting rackets and their foriegn coach Bob Woolmer was suspected to be murdered in 2007 for knowing little too much about such activities. Players including Mohammed Asif were suspended in 2010 for being part of Match fixing mafia. It was heard that, there was arrangements on minute details, like when the no-balls should be bowled to make sure that they lose the match with out provoking any suspicion.
Now lets wait for the grand finalee and though not an avid cricket fan, even I love my country to win the the Cup and I seriously wish the game will be a 'real' game.
Sarah got some nice pics there in her blog and she believes that Kasparov has three children Polina, Vadim and Aida from three different marriages. I saw this nice and rare pic of Kasparov with his eldest daughter Polina from a chess site.Another good pic was of a 12 year old Garry.
