“YES WE DID,” screamed a joyous status update at the end. On the day of the all important India-Pakistan cricket match, Facebook and Twitter were awash in blue. Indians all over the world who followed cricket peppered these sites with updates that ranged from the score at the moment to hopeful prayers and cheers to affirmations that “it is nice to follow the match on Facebook.”

Amidst all the bonding and support for the Indian side, there was also commiseration with the Pakistani team. And why not? Who couldn't but feel for Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, as he tried to look brave and composed even as the TV cameras caught the sheen of despair in his eyes? They played well, even when they realised it was all but over, and didn't we all feel a lump in the throat when Afridi, praising India, said he was proud of his team and that he was sorry for disappointing his nation?

Those who said they weren't interested in cricket even when India played (one quoted Richie Benaud: ‘A cricket ground is a flat piece of earth with some buildings around it') were caught up enough in the excitement to note how the game roused passions — especially of those famously impassive public figures who seemed ready to break into a jig when India won. The Pakistan team's effort sparked off a long discussion on cricket in the sub-continent for about an hour immediately after the game ended. Long-unseen friends crept out of the woodwork to put in their spoke.

As I prepared to end this piece, I could see more such messages coming in — a cousin railing about how needlessly, triumphantly jingoistic we can be; on what is wrong with revelling in our victory and not feeling for the losing side; and others marvelling at how passionate these two countries can be - and I can't help but wonder, if IPL, with its motley, or call it eclectic, elements, whips up the same kind of fervour that a World Cup does.

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