Bleeding Blue
As the world eagerly awaits the 2024 Paris Olympics, the event is set to remind us of the unifying power of sports—a force that transcends competition to foster global unity and community. Ahead of the largest sporting event in the world, I wanted to reflect on the unifying power of sports in India and the world through the gentlemen's game, cricket. Also, the reasons why you find your desi friends stealing glances at scores, paying enormous sums for sad stadium seats, skipping work to watch the matches at home, or gaping through the glass door of a restaurant tolerating shoves all for a game.
"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else does," said Nelson Mandela. Famous for being a mosaic of diverse populations, varying cultures, a multitude of languages, and ranging backgrounds, conflicts in India are natural, but the uprising of cricket as a medium of brotherhood and patriotism is miraculous. On the precipice of political and religious conflicts, the one thing that brought the population of a billion, where 1 in 3 children play the sport, together after their general elections was cricket. Cricket is not just a sport; it's a religion, a way of life, and a badge of national honor. Whichever the format, the men and women in blue incite patriotism and pride in every match they participate in, proving Mandela right. History lesson time, kids, gather around. The English brought cricket to India along with a small start-up company, The East India Company, that came only to participate in the business scene (SPOILER ALERT: they did not just participate in commerce). In 1721, a match between sailors garnered the attention of locals, marking the beginning of a long history of cricket in India. The gentlemen's game was reserved for the elite, coughBRITISHcough, so the game's laws remained a mystery until the elite Indians who aimed to cozy up with the then colonizers started playing. The end of the 19th century saw the fade of the elitist nature of the sport as players from lower castes and communities picked up their bats. The first cricket club was established in 1792, but the all-powerful BCCI was established on 1 December 1928. Not to mention the AMAZING, MOST COOL, LEGENDARY GIRL BOSSES (to whom I have no bias whatsoever) association, the Women's Cricket Association Of India (WCAI), was established in 1973 in India. Their success stories have put women's cricket on the global map and inspired countless young girls across India.
The growth of India from a colony of the British Empire to an independent republic saw the infusion of cricket into the lives and culture of India. Cricket was a tool used in the peaceful struggle for independence. The pitches became a theater to show national pride and a war ground for the Indian resistance during matches against the team of England, igniting sparks of unity. Of course, when India won freedom, some asked to send cricket off with the people who brought it. Obviously, that's not what happened because who listens to crazy people? Cricket stayed rooted in the Indian subcontinent despite the division of the colony into India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. This sport was initially a show of racial and social superiority, standing for the great Victorian values of loyalty, fair play, and self-control, but ended up being reappropriated culturally, proclaiming the Indian attitude.
All these associate the game with pride, but how did it become a staple in our hearts, minds, and, more importantly, our televisions when we didn't have much capital? As mentioned before, India is no stranger to civil conflicts, but when things got BAD-BAD, like during Hindu-Muslim riots in 1983, India's leaders decided the people needed a distraction, and that year, the World Cup was telecast live all across the country. Thank god they did because that was the year the Men in Blue won India's first-ever World Cup! When watching as mere spectators, there's only one desire and ambition: for India to win and cheer for the same team in blue.
The usage of sports as a diplomatic instrument is not a new concept. A notable instance was Atal Vajpayee's tenure as PM of India when India's relations with Pakistan were at an all-time low. Vajpayee utilized sports to bridge the divide and promote sentiments of patriotism. Another is the Howdy Modi event in Houston in 2020. The then-US President, Donald Trump, was thrilled to hear that the NBA was playing its maiden games in Mumbai that October and was pleased about the American sport reaching India. He commented on his excitement and wish to come to the event, which attracted smiles and highlighted the remarkable ability of sports to bring countries together. This year's T20 World Cup was also a milestone, featuring a record-breaking 20 teams, including Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Uganda, and Oman. The participation of Afghanistan, despite it not being officially recognized as a country and its political turmoil, was facilitated through enormous efforts from the BCCI and the ICC. It was a significant investment, considering they put on quite the spectacle in this tournament. It was held for the first time in the US, underscoring the growing influence of the game on a global scope, rivaling even football (the one you play with your feet) in some regions.
Yes, yes, I have gone on and on about cricket in India, and as mentioned, the love and commotion for sports are constant occurrences in India, but they can be seen globally. Whether American football, field hockey, or (actual) football, sports events act as mediums of connection, nationalism, and kinship. The Boston Red Sox brought the community together after the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, a ping pong match between the US and China began the melting of the Cold War (get it? melting? cold? no? okay.) or how Jesse Owens winning the Olympic gold medal in long jump that took place during the rise of Hitler and the impending World War, with the help of GERMAN long-jumper Luz Long's tips are just a few instances where sports not only brought a country together but the world too. Love all games unabashedly, respect the players even when luck isn't on their side, and to those who don't like sports- WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YO- No, I am only kidding. I hope this article clarifies why there is not a craze but pure love for sports because it's never just a game, it’s never been.
