The India-Pakistan face-off at Adelaide is going to be watched by millions across the globe. While some are planning to watch the battle with friends and family, there are others who prefer solitude. Sangeeta Yadav speaks with celebs who tell her that whatever the outcome of the World Cup, if India pulls off a win against arch rivals Pakistan, the tournament is as good as won!
Fingers crossed
He is a suave actor, versatile director and an avid cricket fan but not many know that Kabir Sadanand is one of the finest cricket critic. For him, this India-Pak battle in Adelaide is the actual game changer in this entire World Cup. “I am one of those who bleeds blue, so it’s obvious whom I will be gunning for in today’s match. Both India and Pakistan play aggressive cricket. That means a lot of dhamaka to be expected. If our boys win today’s match against Pakistan, my World Cup is won!,” he says.
Is he not nervous at allIJ “Who won’t be biting nails todayIJ I am going to watch the live telecast with my daughter who is a bigger fan than me,” he says, adding that his fondest memory from a India-Pak match was when he snatched the transistor from a fellow traveller. “I was travelling in a bus from Bangalore to Coimbatore when the match was in progress. It was a very delicate situation and I was desperate to know about what was happening on the field. The person sitting before me was peacefully listening to commentary. In my desperation, I snatched the transistor from his hands. Everyone was shocked with this behaviour, but I was not going to let anyone take it away from me,” he says.
“I feel MSD has got many aces up in his sleeves. Virat is a very stylish player. So buckle up and enjoy this ride,” he says.
Dhoni; India’s best bet!
Acting is his first love but it is cricket that entertains him the most. VJ-turned-actor Purab Kohli tells you that he is the biggest Dhoni fan in India! “Dhoni is a class act. Beyond his skill, it’s just superb to watch him conduct himself as the captain,” he says.
His fave moment in India-Pak play off —“I was shooting for my movie, Jal in the middle of the desert during the last India-Pak encounter. The crew were all hoping that our director would let us off early so that we could catch the game. But we finished a tad late and the first innings started while we were driving back to the hotel. A couple of us stopped at a highway dhaba and watched the first innings. It was awesome to sit with random truck drivers so close to the Pakistan border and watch India play Pakistan. As soon as the first half got over, we rushed to the hotel where our producer had organised a big screen for the entire team to enjoy India win that day,” he says.
When it comes to these two teams, the excitement gets manifold. “India and Pakistan are two peas from the same pod that have been separated and that separation causes a lot of harm and bad energy. But when the two teams face-off on the field, I think that energy comes out in a positive way. Whichever team wins, of course I’m hoping it’s India, I’m sure it’ll be a very exciting game,” the 35-year-old actor says.
Though Kohli is not an early riser especially on Sundays, this one time he is all game to make a change in his schedule. “It’s early for a Sunday morning but keeping with the Aussie spirit, I’m sure there will be some popping of beers and buddies,” he signs off.
Chak de India, go for it
If there ever was a celebrity whom you could count on as captain cool, Suniel Shetty aka Anna will be the front runner. He is a passionate cricketer and an excellent analyst who knows his game very well.
Though Shetty has a lot of favourite matches to recall, the one which is closest to his heart is the last World Cup final where India beat Sri lanka to claim the coveted trophy. “India winning the WC 2012 was a priceless moment. The journey of India travelling from Quaterfinals to the penultimate day and beating tough opponents like Australia and Pakistan was truly amazing. In the 2003 World Cup, I still remember how heart broken my 8-year-old son was when we lost by a whisker to Aussies in the Finals,” the Mumbai Heroes cricket team Captain, says.
For today’s match, Anna has different plans. “I have watched most of the matches with my friends. But today, being a holiday, I am going to enjoy the match with my family. It’s going to be a very critical time for India in the World Cup as there is no Sehwag, Yuvraj and many other big players. I’m disappointed with the selection as the cricket Board has stuck to new blood instead of going with the veterans.
“The team lacks good bowlers and the only way to win this crucial encounter would be to put the runs on the board. A lot of hope rests on Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. If India wins today’s match, then there is a good chance that we last till the finals, otherwise we are going to be back home very early. Just want to say chak de India! Go and get the trophy back,” the flamboyant all-rounder says ahead of the match.
United we stand
For Director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, the India-Pakistan cricket match is like the mother of all games. like any other cricket fan, if India loses the match with Pakistan, its impact remains for weeks and months. No matter what differences you have with the other person, when watching an Indo-Pak match, everybody becomes one. Cricket holds a great significance in his personal and professional life.
“During the Indo-Pak quarter finals in 1996, the electricity suddenly went off and we gathered at my friend, Kiran’s house to watch the match. That time, I was dating her and I took this opportunity to introduce my father to her family. I thought what could be a better rendezvous than over a India-Pakistan cricket battleIJ Even after marriage, I cherish those moments,” he says.
After making a National Award winning movie lahore (2010), which had a special mention of cricket in it, Chauhan is now in the process of making a movie based on India’s victory at the 1983 World Cup and how cricket took shape in India. “The 1983 World Cup was the biggest achievement in the Indian sporting history. My film is around the cricket culture post that victory and what was its impact on the people of this country. I have observed the cricketers very closely. During the 1996 World Cup, it was a cinematic high moment for me when Venkatesh Prasad bowled,” Chauhan says, adding that he’s going to watch today’s match with his family who has got together for a wedding in Jaipur.
Sabse aage honge Hindustani
The one person who is going to have his spirits high while watching the high voltage match at Adelaide is Ajaz Khan. “Of course we are going to make it a day. My Bigg Boss buddies — Praneet, Rahul, Mehek, Gautam, Sonali and others will be watching the match together. When it’s India v/s Pakistan, I love to take the tempo a notch higher. This is the time when you need a crowd to cheer and support for your team. If India wins tomorrow’s important match, it will be seen as victory for all of us. I just have one message for all the teams — suno gaur se duniya walo, buri nazar naa humpe dalo, chaahe jitna zoor lagalo, sabse aage honge hindustani,” Khan says.
Talking about the last World Cup, he says: “When India won the World Cup in Mumbai, I had to take my grandmother to the hospital and the roads were all jam packed. People came out on the streets to celebrate and we got stuck in traffic. I was very tensed and happy at the same time. Though, I couldn’t celebrate with my friends but I felt the enthusiasm and happiness of people all around. It was just crazy. I hope this is repeated in 2015. I’m going to join the mob for celebrations.”Khan’s all time favourite players are Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan.