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Former captain of Somerset; author of It Never Rains, Sometimes I Forgot to Laugh and other books

An encounter to stop a
subcontinent

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It may be only a cricket match, but try telling the millions who'll watch India v Pakistan in the World Cup semifinal that
Peter Roebuck
March 30, 2011

Comments: 18 | Text size: A | A

A sport to make clocks melt

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game, time is a protagonist. An instant can
be an aeon, hours can go by in a heartbeat.
By Sharda Ugra

When the top two batted together

Ask Steven: Also when all four openers were lefties and
when all four innings were played on the same day

A cricket match can hold only so much weight. In

that regard the forthcoming semi-final, a local derby

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as well, and a tussle between sometimes agitated old

Insiders think they could. And their showings, in Twenty20

especially, seem to bear out the hype. By Firdose Moonda

rivals, is bursting at the seams. In Chandigarh on the

eve of the match, I came across someone offering

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US$1500 for a ticket, whilst a favoured tuk-tuk driver

Reporters have been instructed to arrive four hours

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before the first ball - happily it is not a morning start

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- and the local airport has been forced to find room

Sambit Bal: Never has a Monday at Lord's been so alive

was urgently but forlornly seeking four for his family.

for 50 private planes.

Interest is at fever pitch across the region. India's
parliament is shutting up shop at 2.30 pm. A large
screen has been erected in the halls of debate.
Mumbai's taxi drivers are taking the day off.
Companies are asking their employers to arrive at
7am, promising to stop work in time for the first ball.
They, too, have put up screens in offices and on
factory floors. Otherwise no one would turn up for
work. The Melbourne Cup might stop a nation. India
versus Pakistan in the World Cup stops a

Yuvraj: the big ticket AFP

Enlarge

subcontinent.
It is a truth often repeated that locals follow not
cricket but cricketers. At times that can seem to be

Related Links
Matches: India v Pakistan at Mohali

the case, but on other occasions it seems unjust,

Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup

even a little patronising. After all tens of thousands of

Teams: India | Pakistan

supporters attended matches played between other

nations, and along the way showed every sign of
appreciating good cricket. And the same applies in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Keeping ticket prices low gave
the common man and humble cricket lover an opportunity to watch the game. And he took it.
Now people are paying small fortunes to watch this clash of the neighbours, also described as a
confrontation of the titans. Doubtless they are going to watch Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, the
reviving local champion. Doubtless they are keen to view the showdown. Is it possible, though, that the

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in this region. Certainly trouble comes along with the location, but it is well worth the bother. Vast

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populations whose interest in the game shows no sign of waning, a rapidly rising middle class, and immense
ability have been on display in this tournament. Three of the semi-finalists are from the area and they include
the powerful, the impassioned and the original.

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Peter Roebuck: India v Pakistan: An encounter to stop a subcontinent | Opinion | Cricinfo ... Page 2 of 4

As far as the semi-final is concerned it has been cast as a battle between India's batting and Pakistan's
bowling, and played before a baying crowd, the match ought to be memorable. Having outstared doom
against Australia, the Indians may conclude their time has come. Advised by a government minister to avoid

Witness the Pioneering spirit of Indian cricket

team
A product of Lufthansa

match-fixing, the Pakistanis may feel at once affronted and motivated. They, too, have come a long way,
further than expected. In that regard they have nothing to lose, or nothing except a nation's foolishly
attached pride.
India's strength lies in the depth and vigour of their batting. Sachin Tendulkar remains the master of all he
surveys, but though the spotlight is still on him the pressure has been spread wider. Virender Sehwag is
properly fit again, Virat Kohli looks at home, Suresh Raina will take confidence from his vital innings against
Australia, and Mahendra Dhoni knows his mustard.
Nevertheless Yuvraj Singh is regarded as the most
dangerous batsman. Already he has taken three Man-

Having outstared doom against Australia, the

Indians may conclude their time has come.
Advised
by a government minister to avoid
Yuvraj has emerged as a powerful and destructive
match-fixing, the Pakistanis may feel at once
batsman with a sturdy temperament. Nowadays he
affronted and motivated
keeps the ball on the floor and looks fitter. His bowling
of-the-Match awards in this World Cup. Previously
dismissed as a swiper with an inflated reputation,

has helped because it means he can be certain of his

place and knows that whatever happens with the bat,
he will contribute to the cause. Allrounders have a lot on their plate but less on their mind.
Like all the teams, India has batted without contrivance. Besides showing that 50-over cricket is alive and
well, this tournament has also confirmed that cricket does not change all that much, remains a game
between bat and ball, and that the laws of physics ought to be respected. The main asset needed by
batsmen is the ability to flick the ball pitching on middle and heading towards leg away to the boundary with
a neat roll of the wrists. Dilscoops, reverse sweeps, open-chested straight hits and the other innovations
have been notable by their absence. They are too unreliable. The basics are back in business.
India's weakness is their bowling. One wag on ESPNcricinfo has suggested that India has been devastated by
the news that Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel are fit. A year or two ago India seemed to have a cupboard full
of promising pacemen. Now the shelves seem almost empty. It is hard to avoid thinking that premature
exposure to the good life takes a toll. Fast bowling demands high levels of focus and fitness.
Nehra and Patel have been ineffective, a headache for a team that recognises the importance of the No. 7
position - which has been one of the main developments in the game these last few years - and so opts to
field a five-pronged attack, and that's including Yuvraj. However, Zaheer Khan has been superb, especially
with the old ball, and Harbhajan is steady and combative. Even so, the Pakistanis will feel they can dominate.
Pakistan's main asset is their bowling. Shahid Afridi is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament and Umar
Gul has been the best speedster. Afridi career has taken more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie story,
but in these twilight years he has found his true calling as a leader, purveyor of tight, flat legbreaks, and
lower-order smiter - in which regard his head remains a little hot.
Gul has improved enormously in a short period. His work depends on rhythm. His stride is long and unless
precise can leave him off balance at delivery. Armed with the new ball, he nowadays approaches the crease
purposefully, uses his height, musters a fine pace and swings the ball away from the bat. Later he retains his
accuracy but adds a concealed slower ball. In short, he is a handful. If he can take a couple of early wickets
the balance of power might shift.
Pakistan's batting has been steadied by the recall of
the two elders, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq. Not
so long ago both were considered surplus to
requirements - one of these quirks that seems to crop
up more often in Pakistani cricket than in other
dispensations. Now they walk out with the air of
genial veterans tolerant of the wayward ways of
youth and used to sorting out the messes they leave
behind.
Pakistan's progress will also depend on the form
shown by the mercurial Akmal brothers, Umar and
Kamran. Both have cheerful round faces, lots of
ability and the fearless outlook that makes the entire
team dangerous. Afridi, too, can give the ball a
wallop and will want to make up for his reckless
dismissal in a previous match. Yet Asad Shafiq might
hold the key because he brings skill and fortitude to
his position at first wicket down. Some colleagues

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/508565.html

7/27/2011

Peter Roebuck: India v Pakistan: An encounter to stop a subcontinent | Opinion | Cricinfo ... Page 3 of 4

rely on mood and instinct but he sets a higher store

by method and a technique tightened in the tape-ball
contests in his childhood.
Both teams are capably coached and both are
captained by characters expressing their contrasting
traditions: Dhoni the cool, slightly detached and
committed Indian and Afridi his impassioned, volatile
and dangerous counterpart. Pakistan has every
reason to be proud of its progress, whilst India can
likewise be pleased that the pressures of favouritism
and hosting the event have not so far told on them.
If Pakistan can get going it ought to be a cracker. But
the main thing is that it is only a cricket match, a
sporting encounter, an exhibition of nerve and skill, a
contest at the mercy of the whims. The players will
strive with every fibre in their bodies to rise to the
occasion. The crowd faces the same challenge.
Despite the foreboding, past performance indicates
that all parties will bend over backwards to make
sure that the meeting is as happy as is possible in a

Shafiq could hold the key for Pakistan Getty Images

semi-final, an essentially mournful occasion, when

Enlarge

much can be lost and nothing won.

Peter Roebuck is a former captain of Somerset and the author, most recently, of In It to Win It
Feeds: Peter Roebuck
ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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Comments: 18

All articles by this writer

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Posted by

on (March 31 2011, 13:17 PM GMT)

@Sujay - While it was not a half day for government officials, many did not turn up. Further, most private companies gave
their employees a half day. Many in Delhi shut office after 2pm. 'Dabur' I had read was contemplating calling it a full day off!
So Peter is right in that regard. Even most lawyers (including myself) left court at 1pm to watch the match! While the India
Parliament is not in session, some state assemblies were suspended early so that legislators can watch the game. J&K for
example had its assembly suspended half-an-hour earlier on request of the Legislators.
Posted by

on (March 31 2011, 06:47 AM GMT)

A couple of corrections in the article - "Companies are asking their 'employers' to arrive at 7am" - It should be 'employees'
and not 'employers'! "Nevertheless Yuvraj Singh is regarded as the most dangerous batsman. Already he has taken 'three'
Man-of-the-Match awards in this World Cup." - Yuvraj Singh has taken 'four' man of the match awards (and not three) before
this game. He won the MoM awards in the games against Netherlands, Ireland, West Indies and Australia.
Posted by vattettan on (March 31 2011, 05:14 AM GMT)
Yuvraj has already taken *FOUR* Man-of-the-Match awards in this World Cup
Posted by

Sujay Kumar on (March 31 2011, 03:36 AM GMT)

sorry peter. you got at least one thing wrong. Indian Parliament is not in session. So there is no question of shutting shop at
2.30 pm. And the offices functioned full hours- till six pm.
Posted by Paullie on (March 31 2011, 02:21 AM GMT)
The Melbourne Cup stops a full continent.
Posted by

Benzil Deepak Dsouza on (March 30 2011, 22:23 PM GMT)

Peter Roebuck, if you want Understand what this match meant to every Indian, You have to be Indian. Country where cricket
is one religion and it plays against its arch rivals you cant expect more. you have no Idea how many heart beats have skipped
while Sachin was dropped. imagine Soccer match between Brazil and Argentina. and how fans will react to it....
Posted by predfox on (March 30 2011, 19:44 PM GMT)
Nice one Peter. However most of your concerns were proved wrong and all of your confident claims bit the dust as well.
Nehra and Munaf more than justified their inclusion. Gul was completely punctured by Sehwag. Zaheer was not as
devastating (but effective nevertheless). Yuvraj got a dynamite of a ball. Afridi was unlucky to not get Sachin's wicket - 3
times ! Wow. But still a great commentary. Thanks!
Posted by

Ruchir Shukla on (March 30 2011, 08:14 AM GMT)

Its the Biggest Match for many of us in our lives !!

Posted by

Jai Krishna Ponnappan on (March 30 2011, 07:58 AM GMT)

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/508565.html

7/27/2011

Peter Roebuck: India v Pakistan: An encounter to stop a subcontinent | Opinion | Cricinfo ... Page 4 of 4

It's 1 A.M here in Los Angeles. Finding it really hard to sleep....My heart is shouting out HINDUSTAN ZINDABAD :)
Posted by

Tn Menon on (March 30 2011, 07:40 AM GMT)

Peter Roebuck talks eminent sense. I was watching the TV debate last night on CNN-IBN. Rajdeep Sardesai, and certain
others were talking as though getting excited over a cricket match between India and Pakistan is some kind of shame.
Mahesh Bhat went to the exent of suggesting that it is dangerous. Peter Roebuck brought some sanity to the discussions by
advising the panel not to confuse patriotism with nationalism and passion for the game with jingoism.

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7/27/2011