Looks like the Indian cricket fan who wanted the nation to win every match it plays has finally come of age. After watching even the mighty Australians and other great cricketing nations bite dust at the hands of India in the Twenty20 World Cup, every die-hard patriot has understood that winning and losing are unavoidable aspects of this glorious game of uncertainties.

Metrolife checked out the emotional pulse of a cross-section of fans on the eve of the first match of the India–Australia series slated to take place in the City and their responses stand testimony to this. The financial windfall bestowed on the young cricketers has generated mixed responses, all the more since Hockey coach Joaquim Carvalho voiced out so strongly against the stepmotherly status  given to the national game.

Unity in group
“Team work has been displayed by the cricket team throughout the World Cup. I really don’t mind if they win or lose because finally there is unity in the group. I only want them to put their 100 per cent effort into this game,” said Dr Appuswamy, a retired doctor. 

He added, “I am really proud that Bangalore is hosting the match just after the World Cup and we can have glimpses of heroes like Dhoni.”

They are human too
Homemaker Anuradha Ranganathan is full of sympathy for the team. “The team has not had any rest at all. After Johannesburg, it was Mumbai and now Bangalore. They are also human beings and so it is harsh to expect them to perform without rest.  I really don’t mind whether they win or lose. And they do deserve every bit of the rapturous welcome they were given and the monetary rewards.  I think Hockey players must also be given such good rewards,” she opined. 

It is alright if they perform badly, opines Salsa dancer Kirti. “After all, it is a game of ups and downs. In any case, I don’t think they would put in a bad performance after such a fabulous performance. I am also really happy with  the financial rewards and recognition given to them because stones are pelted at them and even their families are harassed if they do not perform well. However, I do hope this does not make them lose their focus on the game.”

Why the hype?
Real estate businessman Gaurav feels the recognition and money showered on them is too much. He is particularly peeved about the State award announced for dasher Dhoni by the Jharkhand government.
“There are many who have done so much for the State and country, for instance, our freedom fighters who languish unrecognised. His leadership was good but it is not that great to merit such a big award.”

One loss is ok
Offering a totally different view point is autodriver Mallikarjun, who resides at Jalahalli.

“Even if we lose the match at M Chinnaswamy stadium, it really does not matter.  As it is a seven-match series, I am sure we can make up for it during the tournament. I think the cricketers are not rewarded enough. There is so much money involved in cricket that the lakhs given by the BCCI and State governments are really not huge at all.”

It is the difference in amounts  offered to the performers that rankles Rasool, a salesman. “Robin Uthappa is given rewards  by the governments of both  Karnataka and Kerala because his mother hails from there. Yuvaraj is given Rs one crore. It was a team effort throughout and this  kind of discrimination in reward will only ruin the team spirit there.

Right now,  Bangaloreans seem willing to forgive anything after getting to see a World Cup in Indian hands after 24 years.  We will know the real scene after this euphoria dies down and the series draws to a close.