Everyone in India thinks the world - at least, the cricketing world - loves India. But here's the real deal, dear delusional friends: When on Saturday's T20 World Cup clash against USA, India swaggered in like a schoolyard bully with a bat the size of a telephone pole, everyone who wasn't Indian was cheering 'Three Strikes and You're Out' USA. Every other cricketing nation was secretly, feverishly, rooting for the Americans. England was polishing its monocle, whispering, 'Do it for the colonies.' Pakistan was lighting fireworks in advance, ready to declare a national holiday if India tripped. Even Australia, usually allergic to cheering for anyone but themselves, was muttering, 'Go on, mate, give 'em a taste.' South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka - everyone had popcorn in hand, waiting for the miracle at Wankhede.
USA, bless them, played like a plucky underdog in a Disney sports movie. For a few overs, the dream was alive: At 77/6, India's mighty batting lineup looked like mortals fumbling IKEA instructions. The non-Indian cricketing world collectively leaned forward, chanting 'U-S-A! U-S-A!' as they suddenly discovered love for a country that thinks LBW is a new burger chain. But India scraped through by 29 runs. The bully survived while the other set of 11 South Asian players with American passports lost, but with a twinkle in their eyes.
USA, bless them, played like a plucky underdog in a Disney sports movie. For a few overs, the dream was alive: At 77/6, India's mighty batting lineup looked like mortals fumbling IKEA instructions. The non-Indian cricketing world collectively leaned forward, chanting 'U-S-A! U-S-A!' as they suddenly discovered love for a country that thinks LBW is a new burger chain. But India scraped through by 29 runs. The bully survived while the other set of 11 South Asian players with American passports lost, but with a twinkle in their eyes.
