Hooked on cricket, ladies have a ball

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As the Indian Premier League is back with a bang it’s not just men who are betting on their favourite teams. Even women are biting their nails nervously as the run rate of their favourite team falls and rises. And it’s certainly not a case of what men often think: ‘women do not watch the game, they watch the players’. City women swear by their love for the game and claim to be as proficient about the game technicalities as any other cricket fan.
“I grew up watching cricket. And seeing players like Sunil Gavaskar, Shane Warne and Imran Khan one cannot not fall in love with the game. While I follow cricket religiously, I believe the thrill that you feel in a stadium is incomparable. This season too I plan to watch matches in the stadium, especially the finals,” says cricket enthusiast Nisha Singh.
While Nisha still misses players like Gavaskar in action, model and grooming expert Meyhar Bhasin says one should watch out for the new crop of talented players this season. “Shikhar Dhawan played an unforgettable innings in the test match against Australia recently. His appetite for big scores makes this left-hand batsman take risks that many other players avoid. Though he is out of action because of injury, I can’t wait for him to return with his famous free-strokes of shots square of the wicket,” says Meyhar, who adds that he is being rightly hailed as a promising talent.
Former model Tanisha Mohan is busy inviting her friends over to catch the action on TV. She also has a word of advice for her favourite player Virender Sehwag: “He is a beautiful striker of the ball on the off but direct deliveries on middle and leg has always been problematic for him. He should watch out for that.”
Tanisha is hoping for Delhi Daredevils to make it to the top four at least. But 24-year-old graphic designer Anika Sarin is sure that the team will surely win the IPL this year. “Though teams like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers are very strong teams, I am praying that Delhi will win its first IPL this season,” she says. However, what Anika enjoys the most about the game is the way it brings the whole nation together.
“Even while competing, there is a sense of companionship that cannot be ignored. I first understood the power of sports when India won the World Cup and we went to India Gate. The place was so crowded and everyone was cheering for the team and congratulating each other,” recalls an excited Anika.
Socialite Ramneek Pantal says contrary to the belief that women crib when men watch cricket, it’s the best opportunity to out with your girl and boys gang and have fun. “I always go out with friends to enjoy the matches at restraurants and bars where they have big screens,” she adds. This season Ramneek is betting on and rooting for Virat Kohli’s aggressive batting, fearless bowling and his famous partnership building.