World Cup 2015: Jingoism, an act for television

Nothing in the world that excites NRIs, or their Pakistani counterparts more than a news channel camera.

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Fans take pictures with Virat Kohli after a training session in Adelaide on Saturday.

A day before the most eagerly anticipated match of the World Cup, the India-Pakistan Group B encounter, fans from both sides appeared to be betraying no signs of jingoism as they exchanged pleasantries — hor ji, mostly — at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

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That’s when disaster struck. Everything changed as television reporters decide that it’s time to take their staple feed – the vox populi.

There is nothing in the world — no, not even Bollywood — that excites NRIs, or their Pakistani counterparts (NRPs, if you please), more than a news channel camera with the power to beam their images to the land they left behind. This is also accompanied by a sudden metamorphosis. From soft-spoken courteous immigrants, they become loud nationalists.

“Jaldi bhag, aabo ko bolao,” says a lady in hijab as a Pakistan TV reporter is organising a crowd for a fan reaction. Before he starts the conversation, he floats a condition and a request. He needs a cheer leader close to the mike and others are asked to look for a cue. “When I finish speaking, one of you has to say ‘Pakistan’ and others have to say ‘Jindabad’,” says the man with the mike. They are more than happy, they also add ‘Jiva, Jiva Pakistan’ and ‘Boom, Boom Afridi’. The last chorus is for the television network. It is the loudest.

A lady in the crowd is keen to talk, and almost snatches the mike. Dressed in Pakistan colours, she makes a revelation. “I want Pakistan to win. I am from Sydney, this is my daughter, that is my brother’s son and… and my neighbour.” Her voice is drowned by booming cry, “Boom Boom Afridi, Boom Boom Afridi and Doom Doom India”

In the blue corner where a dhol is playing, the shouts of ‘India Jitega’ are now becoming louder. There is a clamour to grab the mike and face the camera. On the fringes, there is a dilemma. “What should I say,” asks a lady to the well-dressed man next to him. “I guess by abusing Pakistan you have a better chance being shown of TV. With India Zindabad, you might be edited,” says the wise man. She is confused. The reporter is wrapping up the shoot, he wants a cute child. “Beta, kaun jitega? he asks. Sachin Tendulkar, is the innocent reply.

Cue to India’s favourite chant: “Sachhiiiin, Sachhhiinnn”. The reporter is signing off saying how Tendulkar will be missed. Around the stadium long distance calls are being made. “Check karke batata hun kitne baaje tv pe aagyega. Parul bhi hai, aapki wali frock pehni hai,” you hear.

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Once you leave the stadium the vox populi is making sense. No you don’t believe what they are saying but you understand the longing to be seen and heard by those they have left behind and miss a lot.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More