World Cup triumph will increase India’s GDP – Gross Domestic Happiness!
World Cup triumph will increase India’s GDP
By Murali Venkatesan
“People who think they know it all irritate those of us who do”- Anonymous.
The word “junoon” best describes how we the Indian cricket fans feel about cricket. This word conveys much more than what a mere word like “obsession” alludes to. I’m unsure if the Indian government’s projection of 8.75% growth in GDP for 2011 took into account the reduced productivity during the upcoming Cricket World Cup. However, I am certain than an Indian win in this tournament will dramatically increase the Gross Domestic Happiness! The stars seemed to have lined up just right for India. The World Cup is being held in familiar conditions, India has probably the best ODI team in its history in terms of both group dynamics and talent, and the vociferous crowd support is worth at least two additional men each time the Indian XI steps onto the ground. The fans have a key role to play in this World Cup.
Here are a few of my observations:
Supporting our team when they are doing well is easy. Being steadfast in our support when the team loses despite a superb effort is the mark of a true fan. To acknowledge a hard-fought loss and to appreciate the opponents’ skill is the domain of the ultimate cricket fan.
For many of us cricket is a major part of our lives. For Team India, however, cricket is their entire life. They play for India because they possess incredible skills and fantastic cricketing intelligence. They know that their careers, reputation, and net worth are critically dependent on how well they perform. They don’t need additional pressure from us – let us simply support these guys.
Sachin Tendulkar has carried a billion aspirations every time he has stepped onto the field. He stepped into our hearts as a precocious 16-year old, and 20 years later he is without doubt India’s most admired. If any of us walked in his shoes for just a few minutes, the fame would go to our heads. This high priest of cricket has brought much pleasure for us, while keeping his head on his shoulders and being an admirable ambassador for the game. It is time to set him free of our collective aspirations, let him walk in with a carefree swagger – for he is now a part of a team that does not rely exclusively on him to win matches.
While there is talk of winning the World Cup for Tendulkar, let us wish for him a joyous World Cup – win or lose. I, for one, will cherish the sight of Tendulkar looking up at the sky with the helmet off after yet another World Cup century.
Lastly, win or lose, we owe a champion’s farewell to Gary Kirsten. He has been an inspirational coach with every member of the team singing his praises. His work ethic is legendary. I shudder to think of 3000 throw downs per batsman prior to the commencement of the recent South African Test series! He has stayed away from his young family, kept up with India’s hectic cricket schedule, delivered results in all formats of the game, and in general set a high bar for all his successors. A salute, Sir Gary!
World Cups come with their share of tensions for the Indian fan. If it is stress relief you seek, get mad at the BCCI. The insane schedule the BCCI subjects our players to risks injury and staleness. These functionaries have milked billions that could have been spent on providing better facilities for emerging players. The parochialism spawned by the systems put in by BCCI has caused many a budding talent to wilt while waiting in the wings. It is time for the Indian fan to flex their collective muscle and take a page out of the Egyptian revolution and show BCCI its proper place as servants of this wondrous game.
(Murali is a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. When he gets time off from his cricketing duties, whether it be playing or watching cricket, he attends to his duties as a husband, father, and engineering new solar technology solutions)