“Cricket is a religion.” It is an understatement in India. In India cricket is a fever. I know it because I have it. Ever since my childhood days, I am carrying and spreading this fever all around. I got it from my mother’s side, I remember sitting down with all my uncles and aunts in the balcony watching some of the most iconic cricket matches India played in the early 2000s. Those were some golden days and probably very old TV sets. But some of those blurred images remained with me forever, those acted as a virus to my cricket fever and I never took any medicine.

From then till now, I have tried to watch every single game I possibly could. I was a pretty decent player myself (at least I thought so), but was not good enough to play for anything, but that could not stop me from cheering India anytime they played or in any situation they were in. Born in ’97, I was too young to witness the Sharjah storm by Tendulkar, the 1999 world cup, the Pakistan or Australia test series. My earliest cricket memory is probably 2002 Natwest Trophy final, I cannot recall the match at all, but Dada waving his shirt was a statement even for a 5-year-old.

Looking at the ongoing World Cup, all my memories came rushing back. This is my attempt to share them as best as I could.

2003:

I was a boy of no more than 6 when this was happening in South Africa, but I remember some details of it. The best one is India v Pakistan match and those glorious 98 by Tendulkar. I remember that India v Pakistan was a huge clash in the World Cup and there was tension in the atmosphere all around. I remember tension because during the break time no one asked me for food and I was quite hungry. Then Tendulkar played a masterclass inning and we won the match. Today if I tell anyone that people used to stop watching the match after Tendulkar got out they wouldn’t believe me, but I have seen it with my eyes numerous times, one such instance was, unfortunately, the World Cup Final. I do not have a single memory of that match, maybe because I never saw it. But 2003 gave me a favourite player, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, the man, the legend, the God.

2007:

The first World Cup which I watched with a conscious mind. Unfortunately, it was not a very good one for India. Today when I listen to the stories of those times, I can tell the players were not in a peaceful state of mind, but at that time I do not remember coming across such news. Yes, there were negative thoughts and backlash against Greg Chappel but for me, it was hard to understand that situation. I was very over-confident about the success of the Indian team, as a 10-year-old would be. That World Cup was heart-breaking, I cannot remember completely but I can imagine myself crying over it at that time. Another World Cup, another lesson, the harsh reality in cricket is: You cannot win every time, sometimes you will lose and it will hurt.

2011:

Those were some days to remember. I remember everything about this World Cup, my exams were going on and yet I watched every single game, from practice matches to some inconsequential matches, everything. Every team looked good, especially India and Sri Lanka. There was a heavenly buzz around this World Cup, from the advertisements on TV, the World Cup Anthem by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the fact that this would be the last World Cup for Tendulkar, it was all amazing. That first match against Bangladesh was a perfect start. It will be remembered for the batting of Tendulkar, the starts of Sehwag, the bowling of Zaheer, the captaincy of Dhoni, the all-round performance of Yuvraj and everyone else chipping in whenever required. To be honest I was sure from the start that India would win it. The only time I was afraid was against Australia when Dhoni got out, that was a delicate situation but Yuvraj and Raina did it for India. Then the semifinals against Pakistan was exactly what the masses wanted, winning that match was like winning the World Cup. At that time the light was a big issue, so I took some drastic measures, I connected my television with multiple extension boards to get a connection from the inverter. I know it was a bit dangerous but what can I do, I simply could not miss an India v Pakistan match. The finals at Wankhede was a roller coaster ride for my heart, Sri Lanka was a very good team and they made a good score too, but Sehwag and Tendulkar both of them got out early. I would be honest here, I was not scared, I knew we would win it, I just somehow believed even when my family said otherwise. I watched the final inside of a grocery shop for the most part as my father took us out for some business. I requested a random shopkeeper to allow me inside and let me watch the match. 8 years later, that shop I guess is now closed but the memories go on forever. The celebrations went on till long that night. I know the players won it, but I believe those small superstitions, prayers and belief of every cricket fan does matter. That World Cup started with a four by Sehwag, ended with a six by Dhoni, with an iconic cover by Ravi Shastri. What an amazing memory to cherish.

2015:

I remember thinking to myself that this one could be difficult for India, India was a relatively young side and our bowling did not click before the World Cup. But India had an amazing run in the World Cup, winning almost everything except for the semifinals. I had my board exams going on, and it was becoming difficult to follow all the matches, but I saw all the matches in which India played. India was incredible with its bowling in that World Cup. But here is something I want to share, during the India v Australia semifinal, when the national anthems were going on, I saw Steve Smith getting all pumped up. That was the time a fear settled in me, I thought this guy would do it for Australia when he came to bat and the way he batted, he took the game away from us. I know as a cricket lover I should not be biased, but I am a cricket fan as well. I fully supported New Zealand in the finals against Australia and was a little sad to see them lose. All in all, it was a pretty good World Cup.

2019:

I am still here cheering, hoping, praying for team India as always. I think India is a strong side, playing some quality cricket in recent times. I strongly believe that this time around we can win it and repeat the story of ’83, the World Cup before me. I wish all the very best to team India. Bring it home guys. Good Luck!