A High Voltage Clash; or is it ?

One of the great rivalries in the game of cricket—India vs. Pakistan has lost its shine. No longer are the matches between the two teams played with the same intensity as they used be in the late 90s or early 2000s.

There used to be a time when the two countries did not face each other very often. But when they had to, like in the quarter-finals of the Wills World Cup in 1996, or during World Cup of 2003, the matches were of the highest quality.

Streets in India would be empty, shops closed and everyone would be glued to their television sets, praying! (Cricket is a religion here after all.) Such used to be the tension levels.

Who can forget Jadeja smashing Waqar Younis in the quarter-finals in the 1996 World Cup or Sachin Tendulkar's blitzkrieg 98 from 75 balls in the 2003 edition of the tournament. Not a soul would move in India when Sachin Tendulkar was batting against Pakistan such would be the expectation levels. The contests used to be so gripping.

I am sure every cricket fan would agree with me, those in Pakistan too, will be giving their all and the contest will be one amazing thing! All encounters between these two giants will be high voltage stuff. Cricketing entertainment at its absolute best.

Why?

The reason being that they did not face each other that often, and, when they did, sparks would fly everywhere. That was the beauty of an India vs Pakistan cricket match.

But nowadays, because of an over dose of cricket, especially ODIs, these two sides meet far too often and their encounters are being looked at as "just another game of cricket". The encounters have lost their sheen and if they keep playing each other as often as they do, I believe that it will end up being one dull affair.

Lets all hope that this does not happen and we get treated to great games between these two sides, just as the past has often delivered.

Cheers,

Aswath