BLEED BLUE

As much as I am tempted to write about the high octane, enthralling and nerve wrecking India-Pakistan game, I am forced to reserve my excitement for the ultimate challenge. Wednesday’s game attracted  more than a billion people onto their idiot boxes but expect every cricket fanatic from around the seven continents (assuming scientist in Antarctica love cricket) to be cemented to their couch or bar stools surrounded by family and friend (or penguins) on Saturday.  

Source:espancricinfo.com

After nine World Cups, for the first time two Asian countries will face of to be called “Two Time World Champions”.  But this game is just not about winning the match and lifting the 11kg gold and silver trophy. This time there is a sentimental twist to this story- A farewell party for two of the biggest icons of the game. The highest run getter in international cricket -Sachin (God) Tendulkar and the highest wicket taker in international -Muttiah (Spin King) Muralitharan. While Murali has official declared his desire to hang his boots after the World Cup, it is still uncertain if Sachin, at his homeground would bring to an  end an illustrious ODI career. But one thing is for certain that this is will be the last World Cup both these icons will be seen in.

Saturday will be a contest  between India’s phenomenal batting line up versus the balance of a talented Sri Lankan team. Two wicketkeeper-captains Sangakara and Dhoni will be taking the filed to create history which has eluded their team/country for more than a decade. Looking back, both these teams had made it to the finals of the previous two World Cups, with India in 2003 and Sri Lanka in 2007, before being literally trashed by the then mighty Australians. Both have got their opportunity to payback for the humiliating defeat, in this tournament with only India coming on top after defeating Australia during the quarterfinals. (Unfortunately for the Lankan’s the rain Gods played spoil sports)

Both these teams have traced a very different path to come to this stage. Sri Lanka on one hand has had  relatively easy wins, especially in the crucial stages of the tournament against England  (hurts to say this!) and New Zealand.  On the other hand India had to toil through the group stages against teams like England, South Africa and then in the knock out stages against Australia and Pakistan. So in comparison  to the Lankans, the Indians have been tested and they have come out successful. One more important factor to be noted is the home advantage Sri Lanka had enjoyed throughout the tournament. They have played every game at home and will be tested in Indian conditions for the final. India surely has an upper hand playing at home, in Sachin's backyard  and with more than 30000 fanatic Indian supporters from every walks of life-government officials, celebrities and how can I forget… you and me at the stadium.

Tomorrow every India will pray for a repeat of history when  Lord Ram’s army defeated Ravan’s Lankan army to claim back Seeta. Well, to the credit of Sangakara and his men, there is no way  one can be compared to Ravan but heck(!!) who cares as long as India wins. And due to the absence of Seeta lets just associate her beauty and purity to that of the 60cm tall gold and silver trophy. As mythology claims, the fall of Ravan came only after a river of blood, shed by both sides, ran across Lanka. But keeping this battle bloodless, lets just hope to Bleed Blue on what will be the most eventful day of the year for every Indian and Sri Lankan. Now whether it is dark blue or light blue we will get to know very soon!!!