Weary by age but agile in mind, World Cup 2011 means more than Diwali to these octogenarian cricket fans. Team India, of course, is the closest to their hearts, but other teams don't lag too far behind. And, these large-hearted men in the twilight of their lives have plenty to shower in terms of praise.

One follows the game on TV in Mumbai, his younger brother in Coimbatore, and their brother-in-law calls in from Chennai, once too often, to celebrate the fall of a wicket or a century scored.

The 43-day event has changed their routine, despite their slowing motor movements reminding one of slow motion replays. Morning puja now is on fast-track mode, breakfast/lunch earlier than usual, and the couch in the living room readied for viewing the event of the day.

Irked when disturbed

Even before the match can start, phone calls, doorbell chimes and even small talk by the wives are frowned upon. The ladies remain silent but smiling spectators to the old fans' warm-up games. These gentlemen are in love with cricket, be it the World Cup or the tests they grew up on.

Navjot Singh Sidhu and Harsha Bhogle's lines are keenly followed. Then, of course, they occasionally rewind to recall John Arlott, Brian Johnston, Tony Cosier, Iftiqar Ali Ahmed, Lala Amarnath, R Chakrapani, Linsay Hassett and Christopher Martin Jenkins, among others.

The vintage connections come alive the moment the experts come on screen. If Andrew Strauss is lauded for his 150 against India, their comment is this: “The poor man on the screen has not seen enough of David Gower.”

The Pakistan-Sri Lanka match was great for fielding, they feel, but their memory jogs back to Tiger Pataudi, Doug Walters, Alan Knott, Eknath Solkar and the “new kid” Jonty Rhodes.

The Ireland- England match brought out the best in them. While the old boys loved O' Brien's smooth sailing sixes, the Coimbatore senior said it was nowhere compared to the six Viv Richards hit from way outside the off over square-leg, off Mike Hendricks.

This brought in the expert from Chennai, who said there can be none better for slogging than former Aussie keeper Rodney Marsh: “Marsh was capable of even mis-hitting a ball for a six.”

Not to be left behind, the Mumbai voice reminded them of Alec Bedser, who once said, “Even a 16-year-old school girl can hit a six if the timing was right.”

Advertisements fail to disturb or interrupt them. The reasoning is simple: “Let them make their money. How else do we see the match?”

They love the recent “slow” bouncer, but still long for the Salim Durrani-style six that climbed no more than one-and-a-half feet right up to the fence.

Will WC 2011 grant the Old Boys club their wish?

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