The visitors on their way were Saleem, Mushtaq and Madhu. Saleem, being my batch-mate in B-school, Mushtaq or Mushy being his younger brother and Madhu, his childhood buddy. Another one of our batch-mate buddies, Rohan is already settled in the United Kingdom for many years and would play a key part over their UK stay. We have had a most active whatsapp group ever since its inception and the traffic there has not ceased for even a single significant period. Reason being any minor shit about cricket or any other sport is discussed with the utmost passion as if the life of the stakeholders depended on it. Saleem was travelling from Singapore while Mushy and Madhu were travelling from Bangalore, India.

We all had tickets for the India Vs Bangladesh game at Edgbaston, Birmingham on July 2. All except Rohan. Rohan had got tickets for the India vs Afghanistan game at Southampton through the ballot, which he thoroughly enjoyed a week back. Even I had got my tickets separately so I was to be seated in a different block. However, we would be travelling together. The tourists were put up at Rohan’s place at Great Dunmow, a small town in Essex. As they settled in, I made a trip to Dunmow where  all the focus was on some serious cricket. Not on the TV where India were playing an all important game with England but at the Dunmow Cricket Club. Rohan has been a seasoned cricketer all along and even Madhu somewhat the same. So the latter’s first wish was to have a knock in English conditions. Rohan gave him a bonus by getting him to play a game on the Sunday with his club mates, who readily welcomed ‘Maddy’ in their team. Three of us non-cricketers, enjoyed a bit of the India Vs England game in the club house followed by some cricket of our own in the nets where Saleem would end up getting some bragging rights for beating me off a rough patch on the grass. This was followed by a grand dinner with Rohan’s sweet family. Madhu and Rohan would agree and book another net session the coming Wednesday.

The big match day arrived on Tuesday. We were to board the Chiltern Railway train to Birmingham from London Marylbone station at 7 am in the morning. The easiest and most reliable mode of transport in London is the Underground. A couple of changes will get us there in the shortest possible time. However, Saleem will have none of it. He wants to Uber down to London Marylbone. No worries, I thought. Would be a relaxing drive in the morning with little risk of getting stuck in traffic. He woke us all up in the wee hours as if the game was starting at 9 am and not 11 am. The excitement perfectly understandable. We reached London Marylbone well on time only to be informed that all Chiltern Railway services to Birmingham are cancelled.  Patience is a big virtue in this country and 4 years here have taught me that there will be days when you need plan B. Even then I couldn’t help but utter a few expletives. Of all days how could it happen today when a game of cricket is at stake and we would not want to miss the National Anthems. Plan B was ready soon. We were told that the tickets would be valid for the other route to Birmingham on the Virgin Trains (Now Avanti West Coast) and the London North Western services. This was familiar territory for me as I take the London North Western services daily from London Euston to Northampton. An underground ride took us to Euston Square station followed by a one-minute walk to Euston station where we boarded the Virgin Trains service at 7:15 am. This was a bonus as this would be quicker and a more comfortable ride.

A bit of sleep and a bit of looking at the countryside, and we were in Birmingham New Street station in around two hours, having ample time before the match starts. There is a shuttle bus service available from the station to Edgbaston cricket ground. However, we decided to Uber it, once again Saleem leading the way. We were greeted by a sea of blue everywhere as mostly Indian fans flocked to the stadium. It was a surreal build-up to a marquee clash. Added to that there was reduced tension for us as we had already qualified for the semi-finals on the back of some brilliant performances, so much so that a loss to England a couple of days back at the same venue hardly impacted us. In the midst of the blue, the green was not very far behind. While lesser in number, but no less in passion were the fans of the tigers. They had given a good account of themselves throughout the world cup and while they were almost out of semi-final reckoning they still had lots to play for. And more than capable of beating India.

The atmosphere was building up at the ground and before we split into our respective blocks, it was time for the photographs capturing the immortal moments. Not very often do friends stationed in three different countries meet together for a world cup cricket match and that too outside India. As I made my way to the block, the excitement was palpable. This is all what I lived for. For someone like me and the sports I follow, England was the sporting capital of the world and the best place for a sports lover like me, for that matter anybody, and I was blessed to be here.  There can be no better feeling than walking up the steps towards your gallery for a live event and then getting that first glimpse of the green arena.

I could spot the likes of Kevin Peitersen and a few other familiar faces on the ground doing the pre-match analysis, as I settled down into a still half-empty stadium. The anthems happened. Incidentally both are Bengali anthems written by the same person, the great Tagore. The game started and ironically this is the time the excitement settles down a bit. I thought now I can just relax for the next 3 1/2 hours. India won the toss and batted and as usual the openers Rohit and Rahul looked in great nick. Just then Bangladesh made the cardinal sin of dropping Rohit, a straight forward regulation catch. I thought this will be one way traffic now. Two days back England gave him a life and he went on to score a ton though it was not that costly as England had enough on the board. Today also he will make the opposition pay and he did just that.

Despite all the excitement of watching a game live, I will have to admit that I really do not have the patience to watch a complete ODI innings.  Especially once the game enters the middle overs. Also as I said it was one way traffic now so I decided to head downstairs, take a walk, grab a few bites. It was a way to tell Rohit and Virat that I know that you will boss this situation, so no need to tell me that. Over the years watching India bat in ODIs have become boring as we know that on the relatively flat decks, no bowling line-up can challenge that batting line-up. To beat India one must have to outscore them or apply scoreboard pressure if they chase.  Nowadays, for me, watching India bat is interesting only in the challenging conditions in ‘SENA’ test matches.

Bowling however is a completely different story. I am a bowlers fan and firmly believe that it is the bowlers who win you games. That theory is universally agreed for tests. However, I feel it applies to ODIs as well. As far as I recall, India wins 90% games when their bowlers do the job (unfortunately, the all-important semi-final of the world cup fell into the remaining 10%). With an array of exciting bowlers to watch led by the supremely talented Jasprit Bumrah followed by Shami, Bhuvi and the ‘Wristies’, I prefer to watch us bowl as I feel that will have the more decisive impact on the game.

The only weakness I see is that not many of the bowlers contribute with the bat. That led to major selection complications and even ensured that Mohammed Shami was never an automatic choice despite having taken 13 wickets in 3 games including a hat-trick.  Not able to unleash Shami was one of the factors that led to our eventual loss in the semi-finals. Also we had to leave out one of the wrist spinners to include more batting depth with Ravindra Jadeja, though Jadeja did not disappoint and ended up ridiculing Sanjay Manjrekar for the comment made on him (Though I feel there was nothing wrong with the comment).

We posted a massive 315. At the break, I came down, met up with Saleem. We clicked pictures with some of the Bangladesh fans with face paint and all. As the afternoon rolled in and the chase began it became a bit chilly. I enjoyed beer while soaking in the chill and enjoying the chase. Bangladesh was in the fight through Shakib but India kept chipping in with wickets leaving them 6 down for 170 odd. As it is there was not much stress over the result and this looked comfortable now. I was soaking in the chill, walking around to keep warm, at times not even keeping track of the score. Suddenly two guys Sabbir and Saifuddin launched a fightback. Initially, it looked like delaying the inevitable but later it became a bit serious with 30 off 14 required with Saifuddin still not out and past his 50. However, in came Jasprit Bumrah, fired in two yorkers and game was over.