An Indo-Pak tie never fails to electrify people in this country. About 1.2 billion plans are being made for Wednesday afternoon, with one 48-year-old travelling from Bangalore to Coimbatore to be with his school chums, another planning to exercise the ‘work from home' option, yet another working on a pretence ‘sick leave' from Monday, an indulgent one even splurging on a 3G phone so that he does not miss the game while driving home from work.

But what is amusing is the monumental role that a routine cricket match, when played between the two traditional rivals, always assumes: that of an equaliser.

Issues in relationships get sorted out (although just for eight hours), and conflicts dissolve as everybody will find the common opponent for the day.

For my boss at work, it will not be a wasted day in front of the television as he cheers for India's win with his juniors, for my friend, who's the regimental mother, her daughter's board exams will take a backseat as the duo will wring hands nervously when Sachin leaves the pavilion to get his 100th 100, my mother-in-law and I will have a common cause for the day and my conservative father-in-law will slyly reach out for the beer can his son is chilling in the refrigerator.

Non-believers have already started thronging the desk of my astrologer-colleague requesting him to predict the ‘outcome,' and ‘it better be positive,' they are threatening him!

The larger national picture is no different: rival politicians and corporate top guns will be seen occupying seats next to each other at the ‘premium stands' in the stadium. Several rival teams in the World Cup have even publicly wished India ‘good luck'.

As patriotism gathers steam, it's time for the accord express to chug again. Even my peace-loving neighbour, who's weary of children turning into little Sehwags and Sreesanths, does not mind the rising decibels from my house as my family members turn cheerleaders towards late evening.

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