Unraveling the Excitement: The Passionate Spirit of a Cricket World Cup Audience

Being part of a huge crowd, full of energy and excitement, all shouting and cheering as if in pure joy, can be an incredible feeling if you’re one of them. But if you’re just watching from the sidelines, it can be pretty intimidating.

I had forgotten what it’s like to watch India play cricket, especially in a World Cup. Since the 2008 IPL opening match in Bangalore, I mostly watched games on TV. But seeing India play Afghanistan at the Kotla Stadium last Wednesday, from the western stands, felt like revisiting the past and being reminded of the amazing power of a passionate crowd.

The chants of “Indiaaa, Indiaa,” “Rooohiiit, Rooohiit,” and “Buuumraaah, Buumraah” echoed throughout the stadium. Thousands of voices joined in, creating a wave of sound that seemed endless. Every time the packed stadium erupted, you could feel the ground shake beneath you, like an earthquake.

The crowd was treated to exceptional batting skills, especially from Rohit Sharma, whose graceful play and swift footwork are a joy to watch live. His elegance, decision-making, and self-confidence are unmatched, even by the great Virat Kohli. In this form, he seems unstoppable. No wonder he went on to dominate the Pakistani bowling and looks set for more successes in this World Cup. That’s what every Indian fan hopes for.

Imagine the deafening noise of around 40,000 spectators drowning out any support for the rival team. Now, picture what a crowd of over a lakh could do to the opposing team. In Ahmedabad, it must have felt like a tornado, silencing any opposition voices, if there were any.

At Kotla, there were a couple of spectators waving the Afghanistan flag. Ignoring them was the best response, although one of them was heckled.

In the magnificent Narendra Modi stadium, the crowd enjoyed watching Jasprit Bumrah’s incredible bowling, with his unique angles and movements baffling even the best batsmen worldwide. Watching him felt like witnessing a robot, smoothly twisting and bending his body without losing speed, swing, or control. Unlike others, he doesn’t show aggression; he does it all calmly, with a gentle smile. Bumrah could be India’s lucky charm in this World Cup, defying those who believe hatred is the way to success.

Bumrah, supported by the enthusiastic Mohammad Siraj, made crucial strikes just when the match seemed to be heading for a tough battle. It was like a balloon being popped, losing all its energy, leaving the Pakistan team deflated.

Then Rohit took charge. This incredibly talented batsman and wise captain not only seizes opportunities but also creates them through his aggressive leadership. He showcased powerful yet elegant strokes, taking India closer to victory.

I can imagine the feelings of the thousands at the Ahmedabad stadium while watching India confidently win, something most Indians believed was destined to happen. Celebrating and chanting slogans is natural for sports fans, but it’s important to do so with respect. Cheering should uplift our team, not degrade others. Targeting the rival team with offensive slogans, especially about their religion, or booing their national anthem is unacceptable.

Do we want our enthusiastic “Indiaaa, Indiaaa” chants to be associated with pettiness or with the generosity of spirit that respects our guests? The choice is clear. Or is it?

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