Indians and Cricket - We are symbiotic.

1. I am an Indian and I am born to love, at the very least like cricket.

2. I will have my lay-man's opinion on every bowler, every batsmen, every ball bowled, every run taken, every wicket taken, every technique adopted, every cricket rule that exists or does not exist and will dissect a cricket match to shreds, over a cup of coffee with my friends.

3. No matter how much I declare it as a silly game, if I see a nail-bitting cricket match while flipping channels, especially a live one, I will stop, watch and cheer for the team that wins, no matter which team it is.

4. #2 applies only if the Indian team is not playing. If Indian team is playing I will first declare them as typical to bring a match to this "close a finish" and then I will sit and chew on my nails praying fervently that they do win

5. I got goosebumps and my stomach was churning watching the "Lagaan cricket match", despite the knowledge that it is a movie and India is going to win ultimately.

6. I really believe that my prayers contribute significantly to Indian cricket team's winning chances and praying is the least I can do. If I am eccentric enough, I will offer prayers at temple/church/mosque/gurudwara to improve the odds of Indian team winning an important cricket match.

7. I will complain aloud about(euphemism) the Indian cricket team(every aspect of it) after we loose a match , pretend to not care about the win or lose. I will even say "the team does need such treatment meted out to it once in a while for their arrogance and over confidence". But inside I will be bitterly disappointed and dejected that the team lost the match and decide to pray more for the team for next match.

8. I would have at some point of time in my life, declared that I will not watch the important match India is playing because if I watch India will surely loose. I will ask my friends and family to watch it for me.

9. After declaring #8, I will manage to take a sneak-peak at the game at the exact moment when either the Indian team looses a wicket or drops a wicket. I will then shudder my shoulders in exasperation and exclaim to the others "See .. this is what I told you".

10. I will want Sachin Tendulkar to hit a century every single time he comes out to bat, and if he indeed hits a century, I will want a 150 or a double century.

11. Every time I read an article about Sachin or watch a video clipping of his achievements, I get goosebumps.

12. I will defend Sachin vehemently if anybody even dares to say that Sachin is not a match winner and if Sachin scores big in a match, India will loose the game.

13. I will aspire to watch every single cricket match that India is playing from a stadium.

14. I will prepare myself for an important cricket match that India is playing for days together. I will declare that I will not study or do my homework that day,pester mom to make some snacks,

 postpone my meetings and other commitments, get home early from work and get all the food ready. I will hate to be disturbed when the Indian team is playing well.

14. I am an Indian girl and I will have crush on at least one cricketer during my teenage. I will have his posters on my bedroom walls, read up every bit of information on him and chant his name day in and day out and drive the others around me crazy.

15. I am an Indian parent and my secret ambition will be to make my son part of Indian cricket team. Cricket bat is the first toy I will buy for him.