Melbourne: The MCG, that familiar, shiny concrete cauldron in which so much cricketing folklore is brewed, stands forlorn on the eve of the World Cup final.
The colosseum is sun-baked on Saturday but the forecast is grim on match day, for 100% rain, meaning ticket counters are largely devoid of those heartbroken, last-minute hopefuls who always provide the pulse to a contest.
The fan zone is only a slightly peppier affair, all manufactured effect, food carts, smells, and babies in prams. Forgotten melodies meld into wistful glances. Everyone present here breaks into a painful, embarrassed, knowing nod.
There will be rain and there will be no India-Pakistan final either and it's all absolutely unfair and it shows in their faces, especially those of the Pakistani fans!
This is a far cry from the whirlwind-riding fervour, all colour, and passion and pulsing heartbeat, which so memorably invaded these hallowed grounds just last month.
Had it not been for the rain forecast, England versus Pakistan, with dollops of once-in-a-generation dynamism on either side, would have stirred passions like no other.
Jos Buttler's mighty England side is still the stronger team on paper, possessing as much 'junoon' as the vibe-fuelled, fortune-favoured, magic-weaving, god-fearing Pakistani outfit.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 13, 2022 من The Times of India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 13, 2022 من The Times of India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Song and dance there, but where is Brazil's soul?
From swooning over the twirling foot of Richarlison the other day, to fretting over the ankle of Neymar, it is back to business for Brazil. Gone is the exultation to dance and express themselves.
Marriott to reach 200-hotel mark in India by 2025 from current 134
American hospitality major Marriott International — the group with the largest number of branded hotel rooms in India at about 26,000 — has drawn up very ambitious growth plans for the country.
India's visually-impaired players dribble, debate on and off field
Take 20-year-old Shivam Negi for instance. A member of the national blind football team, Negi along with three other NIEVPD students is ardently following the matches by listening to live commentary.
SIPS eating into luxe car sales: Merc
‘MF Investments Reducing Disposable Incomes Of Indians’
Fury's Ground Xiro
Xi's zero-Covid policy has angered ordinary Chinese as never before. A dangerous moment for the state
Trump faulted for dinner with white nationalist, rapper Ye
The sportswear manufacturer has also launched a probe into his conduct.
Blank sheets of paper become symbol of defiance
Chinese protesters have turned to blank sheets of paper to express their anger over Covid-19 restrictions.
Can't deny mediclaim to a vegetarian, insurer told
Dietary Habit Not Patient’s Fault: Consumer Body
Thakur: Will host 'grand Olympics' in Gujarat in future
Union sports minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said Gujarat will host a “grand Olympics” sporting event in the future.
Will restore old pension scheme in Guj: Kejriwal
He also urged government employees in the state to back AAP while promising implementation of the old pension scheme for them by January 31, 2022.
