Forget El Clasico, Forget The Ashes, Forget the London Derby...It's India v Pakistan....

[shaz619]

India v Pakistan cricket is almost treated like war itself amidst all the political tensions, its significance is unparalleled; educated footy fans accept this as well

 

[Aman]

India v Pakistan cricket is almost treated like war itself amidst all the political tensions, its significance is unparalleled; educated footy fans accept this as well

400m

Even casuals watch El Clasico.

 

[angeldsoul]

the butt hurt is great in this one!!!!!!!!!!! lolol

All the nay sayers and detractors getting mega butt hurt, and the el classico still at 400 million is less than half of pak v india semi final and even still that was a one off match that got those numbers, they play time and time again!!!

 

[angeldsoul]

what ever you say what ever you do the numbers dont lie , pak v india is more than double of any el classico in history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Aman]

the butt hurt is great in this one!!!!!!!!!!! lolol

All the nay sayers and detractors getting mega butt hurt, and the el classico still at 400 million is less than half of pak v india semi final and even still that was a one off match that got those numbers, they play time and time again!!!

India-Pakistan World Cup match had 288 mn viewers across channels.

Gotta love the reaching though... El Clasico is the biggest sporting contest in the world, period.

Most of the world probably isn't even aware of India-Pakistan being a rivalry.

El Clasico is mainstream and has all the major markets [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]

 

[angeldsoul]

We dont care about the messis and ronaldos being bigger superstars or having global reognition, all that matters to people in viullages in pak and india watching this match is that only!!! And yet still bigger numbers!!!

We dont have stupid inferiority complex that white people are not watching our match all around the world!

 

[angeldsoul]

India-Pakistan World Cup match had 288 mn viewers across channels.

Dude it was 1 billion global audience those numbers are not accounting true viewers ie 20 people watching on 1 set!!!!

 

[Aman]

We dont care about the messis and ronaldos being bigger superstars or having global reognition, all that matters to people in viullages in pak and india watching this match is that only!!! And yet still bigger numbers!!!

We dont have stupid inferiority complex that white people are not watching our match all around the world!

When did 288m > 400m.

 

[Aman]

Dude it was 1 billion global audience those numbers are not accounting true viewers ie 20 people watching on 1 set!!!!

That goes for every event ...

 

[angeldsoul]

look at this dude from the guardian
unbiassed and not owned by the cooperate media



https://www.theguardian.com/sport/g...istan-watched-by-a-billion-people-in-pictures

 

[vandokkum]

If Pakistan fail to win the final, another generation of Pakistani players would have gotten used to always failing against India on the big stage , that kind of mental block will take decades to overcome. For the sake of cricket and Indo Pak rivarly, let's hope Pakistan win this.

 

[angeldsoul]

That goes for every event fpalm

read the last linkl the guardian one of the most respected news papers in the world reporting 1 billion!!!!!

 

[angeldsoul]

Oh and this from the CNN

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/15/sport/india-pakistan-cricket/index.html

 

[shaz619]

More People watched Pak v India Semi Final

The magnitude of India/Pak rivalry will NEVER be matched by junglees who chase a ball.

 

[Aman]

Because entire villages in India watched India-Pakistan it makes India-Pakistan bigger )

Outside those countries, no one gave a damn.

Barca-Madrid transcends boundaries and is mainstream.

This is the equivalent to comparing Rock-Austin to Hogan-Andre.

More people watched Hogan-Andre, Rock-Austin is more iconic and bigger.

 

[sjsjsj]

What if it turns out to be "Grande Rain-o"?....what is the ruling on reserve day?....which conditions need to be met to use reserve day?

 

[shaz619]

Because entire villages in India watched India-Pakistan it makes India-Pakistan bigger )

Outside those countries, no one gave a damn.

Barca-Madrid transcends boundaries and is mainstream.

This is the equivalent to comparing Rock-Austin to Hogan-Andre.

More people watched Hogan-Andre, Rock-Austin is more iconic and bigger.

Exactly, all social classes watched that game. So you're suggesting that Barca/Real is like what cricket is for privileged British people

Barca/Madrid is insignificant compared to Pak/Ind rivalry and is more like a Jeff/Matt hardy rivalry compared to a Bret/Shawn feud.

 

[angeldsoul]

Because entire villages in India watched India-Pakistan it makes India-Pakistan bigger )

Outside those countries, no one gave a damn.

Barca-Madrid transcends boundaries and is mainstream.

This is the equivalent to comparing Rock-Austin to Hogan-Andre.

More people watched Hogan-Andre, Rock-Austin is more iconic and bigger.

Frankly mate we dont give a damn!!
We are not trying to ram it down europeans throat we know it matters to us and thats all we care about!!!
To the villager in pak and india he doesnt give a flying shiz about gloabal reach index etc etc etc

More people will watch this than the next 2 el clssicos combined , we dont care if you care about it more or europeans care about it more, or andre and hogan and all those no one cares!!!! Apart from you anbd a few others with sith level butt hurt trying to make us accept inferiority, and we are not interested! Sell it down the road

 

[vandokkum]

Because entire villages in India watched India-Pakistan it makes India-Pakistan bigger )

Outside those countries, no one gave a damn.

Barca-Madrid transcends boundaries and is mainstream.

This is the equivalent to comparing Rock-Austin to Hogan-Andre.

More people watched Hogan-Andre, Rock-Austin is more iconic and bigger.

India- Pakistan matches are more important to South Asians, Clasico is much bigger worldwide. What are you guys fighting about?

 

[shaz619]

Since when do politicians get involved when Barca or Real lose, does the honour of their countries army's be at stake and everyone's dignity in their country; are the two nations constantly at war which raise the stakes during sporting contests. Since when do Real/Barca carry the weight of billions expectations on their shoulders. It's just another football derby and nothing more, Pak/India rivalry involves a battle between men and not little girls who kick a ball around like brainless animals

 

[Boi]

What if it turns out to be "Grande Rain-o"?....what is the ruling on reserve day?....which conditions need to be met to use reserve day?

It's actually meant to be pretty warm this weekend, especially in London. Expecting around 30 degrees on Sunday with glorious sunshine so rain shouldn't be an issue.

 

[itsme]

How many people watched India-Pakistan outside those countries?

Not many watch superbowl outside usa but it still is one of the biggest sports event.

 

[Aman]

Exactly, all social classes watched that game. So you're suggesting that Barca/Real is like what cricket is for privileged British people

Barca/Madrid is insignificant compared to Pak/Ind rivalry and is more like a Jeff/Matt hardy rivalry compared to a Bret/Shawn feud.

I could go outside and ask 100 people...

Messi or Ronaldo? I'd get an answer from 100 people.
Barca or Real Madrid? 85 out of 100.
India or Pakistan? I'd expect 80 of my responses to asking me what I mean by that.

You can do that for every country on the planet and the results would be similar.

That Rivalry

 

[shaz619]

I could go outside and ask 100 people...

Messi or Ronaldo? I'd get an answer from 100 people.
Barca or Real Madrid? 85 out of 100.
India or Pakistan? I'd expect 80 of my responses to asking me what I mean by that.

You can do that for every country on the planet and the results would be similar.

That Rivalry

Make a video and show me the proof first, I only debate with facts so sorry kid you are wrong and I am right

 

[Aman]

Messi-Ronaldo is a bigger rivalry than El Clasico and India-Pakistan.

If Argentina and Portugal were to meet in a WC Final, it would break ratings records.

 

[shaz619]

Since when do politicians get involved when Barca or Real lose, does the honour of their countries army's be at stake and everyone's dignity in their country; are the two nations constantly at war which raise the stakes during sporting contests. Since when do Real/Barca carry the weight of billions expectations on their shoulders. It's just another football derby and nothing more, Pak/India rivalry involves a battle between men and not little girls who kick a ball around like brainless animals

 

[Aman]

Since when do politicians get involved when Barca or Real lose, does the honour of their countries army's be at stake and everyone's dignity in their country; are the two nations constantly at war which raise the stakes during sporting contests. Since when do Real/Barca carry the weight of billions expectations on their shoulders. It's just another football derby and nothing more, Pak/India rivalry involves a battle between men and not little girls who kick a ball around like brainless animals

Mohammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Messi, Ronaldo, Virat Kohli and Sarfraz Ahmed.

Pick the two names that don't belong in there

 

[angeldsoul]

Messi-Ronaldo is a bigger rivalry than El Clasico and India-Pakistan.

If Argentina and Portugal were to meet in a WC Final, it would break ratings records.

IF
funny word!

why are you trying to be negative and downplay it fir us, we already told you we dont give a shiz about what
anyone else thinks it will matter not to any pakitstani or indian watching the match
yes will it be mainly pak and india people ofcourse it will! and we dont care about the shiz you are talking about or whether outside your house some white people dont know or care about this match

 

[angeldsoul]

it will still have more people this year than any other sporting event and thats all that matters!!!!!!

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] Barca-Madrid rivalry isnt the same as Indo-Pak ones put it this way u cant be an Indian fan just 3 years ago then become A hardcore Pakistani fan.

This rivalry is above gloryhunting n bandwagoning.
Unlike majority of overseas Barca n Madrid fans who are gloryhunters who only support them because of their success n they have big players..

once messi n ronaldo go n if barca n madrid decline for a bit those fake fans will support the next big thing.

But the love for an India or Pakistan remains forever in your heart.

Indo-Pak rivalry has had wars fought over it.

Way bigger in all aspects

 

[angeldsoul]

Mohammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Messi, Ronaldo, Virat Kohli and Sarfraz Ahmed.

Pick the two names that don't belong in there

even after all you say pak v india will be watched by more people, so I ask you why the butt hurt ?

we will never ever ever accept that this is not a proper rivalry with more viewers than el classico or anything else!

 

[Aman]

even after all you say pak v india will be watched by more people, so I ask you why the butt hurt ?

we will never ever ever accept that this is not a proper rivalry with more viewers than el classico or anything else!

I never said that, I said on actual numbers, Barca-Madrid was far bigger.

India-pakistan could have been bigger, but ratings wise it was not. We have no idea to determine how many people actually watched either event but the ratings which put Barca-Madrid well ahead.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] Barca-Madrid rivalry isnt the same as Indo-Pak ones put it this way u cant be an Indian fan just 3 years ago then become A hardcore Pakistani fan.

This rivalry is above gloryhunting n bandwagoning.
Unlike majority of overseas Barca n Madrid fans who are gloryhunters who only support them because of their success n they have big players..

once messi n ronaldo go n if barca n madrid decline for a bit those fake fans will support the next big thing.

But the love for an India or Pakistan remains forever in your heart.

Indo-Pak rivalry has had wars fought over it.

Way bigger in all aspects

Terrific post what a burial, Aman throwing his toys out the pram and losing it mentally just like NZ do every time they see a BD tournament poster )

The fact that he can switch from Real to Barca speaks of his footy intellect which is limited to glory hunting and bandwagoning, nothing compares to an Ind/Pak rivalry it's a joke to even suggest it even remotely; the stakes are unique; I challenge those to state otherwise in comparison without use of low grade garbage to conceal their inability to present a valid argument

 

[Aman]

[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] Barca-Madrid rivalry isnt the same as Indo-Pak ones put it this way u cant be an Indian fan just 3 years ago then become A hardcore Pakistani fan.

This rivalry is above gloryhunting n bandwagoning.
Unlike majority of overseas Barca n Madrid fans who are gloryhunters who only support them because of their success n they have big players..

once messi n ronaldo go n if barca n madrid decline for a bit those fake fans will support the next big thing.

But the love for an India or Pakistan remains forever in your heart.

Indo-Pak rivalry has had wars fought over it.

Way bigger in all aspects

No one outside India or Pakistan gives a damn about this rivalry or the sport.

This is as nonsensical as calling cricket the second most popular sport in the world, when everyone full well knows that world does not know or care for cricket.

 

[shaz619]

When it comes to stakes Ind/Pak > Footy derby's

When it comes to viewership Ind/Pak > Footy derby's

Those who disagree = Glory Hunters with identity crisis

 

[shaz619]

No one outside Europe gives a damn about Spain/Barca rivalry

This is as nonsensical as calling Football the most watched sport in the world, when everyone full well knows that world does not know or care for Barca/Real beyond Europe.

Well Said

 

[Aman]

When it comes to stakes Ind/Pak > Footy derby's

When it comes to viewership Ind/Pak > Footy derby's

Those who disagree = Glory Hunters with identity crisis

What part of no one outside India or Pakistan cares don't you get?

Just have a read of your buddys thread to see how popular the sport is to the world.

 

[Aman]

Well Said

400m globally

 

[angeldsoul]

I never said that, I said on actual numbers, Barca-Madrid was far bigger.

India-pakistan could have been bigger, but ratings wise it was not. We have no idea to determine how many people actually watched either event but the ratings which put Barca-Madrid well ahead.

I already gave you ratings from the guardiuan and cnn proving a billion people watched the crappy 2015 world cup match! This will be bigger,
is el classico bigger in global recognition yes, will more people watch the next el classico deby than the next pak india match not a chance in hell!!!!!! I would bet everything I have made , will make and could dream of on it and it will be a guaranteed win, so take your butt hurt and negativity somewhere else!

 

[shaz619]

What part of no one outside India or Pakistan cares don't you get?

Just have a read of your buddys thread to see how popular the sport is to the world.

He just gets sad when there is no Test Cricket, no one cares about Barca/Spain outside Europe the stakes are nothing compared to Ind/Pak, low IQ glory hunters can think otherwise

 

[Aman]

He just gets sad when there is no Test Cricket, no one cares about Barca/Spain outside Europe the stakes are nothing compared to Ind/Pak, low IQ glory hunters can think otherwise

More than one billion fans tuned in to watch the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, with the competition reaching a global in-home television audience of 3.2 billion people, according to final figures from FIFA and Kantar Media.

that draw

 

[shaz619]

that draw

More people still watched the 2011 Cricket World Cup Semi-Final, Barca/Real rivalry is nothing compared to India/Pakistan

 

[Aman]

More people still watched the 2011 Cricket World Cup Semi-Final, Barca/Spain rivalry is nothing compared to India/Pakistan

Bruh... Messi is a bigger draw than India and Pakistan combined )

More people tuned in to see Messi chase WC glory than the combined viewership of multiple India-Pakistan games )

Imagine what a WC Final of Argentina and Portugal or El Clasico CL will do

 

[shaz619]

El Joberisco is insignificant in terms of its magnitude compared to India vs Pakistan the greatest sporting event in HISTORY and THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

 

[shaz619]

Bruh... Messi is a bigger draw than India and Pakistan combined )

Messi can't draw flies outside Europe Bangladesh combined are bigger draws them him to be honest

 

[Aman]

Messi can't draw flies outside Europe Bangladesh combined are bigger draws them him to be honest

Messi sold 95,000 tickets at the MCG last week )

I was planning on flying out to watch it, the tickets were crazy expensive.... Don't think a cricket match would get close to charging that much for a India-Pakistan warm up/Jamodi at a 90,000 stadium.

 

[Hasan123]

Pakistan vs India is still seen as a big game no matter how much Indians try to play down the game. Both sides are desperate to win.


It's almost like cricketing war when the 2 sides meet although recently India have dominated.

For me Pakistan vs India is the most watched and biggest cricket match.

 

[Adil_94]

el classico has gone huge now because of messi n ronaldo. n ballon d or intrigue. when i was a kid it was a big game but wasnt the global spectacle it is now n thata coz of 2 players n the army of gloryhuntera n .

once they go it will go back down in hype.

but indo pak will always rake in the hundreds of millions.

 

[Aman]

el classico has gone huge now because of messi n ronaldo. n ballon d or intrigue. when i was a kid it was a big game but wasnt the global spectacle it is now n thata coz of 2 players n the army of gloryhuntera n .

once they go it will go back down in hype.

but indo pak will always rake in the hundreds of millions.

A generation of fans will follow Barca and Real for the rest of their lives. If Barca and Real recruit well, they can replicate Messi vs Ronaldo (obviously not to the same level, but #1 vs #2) to get the next generation.

 

[shaz619]

Pakistan vs India is still seen as a big game no matter how much Indians try to play down the game. Both sides are desperate to win.


It's almost like cricketing war when the 2 sides meet although recently India have dominated.

For me Pakistan vs India is the most watched and biggest cricket match.

Finally a respected footy fan on these forums with sense, well said

 

[Aman]

Finally a respected footy fan on these forums with sense, well said

If other top tier cricketing nations can't draw in their own countries, what does it mean for Pakistan-India's global appeal

 

[shaz619]

el classico has gone huge now because of messi n ronaldo. n ballon d or intrigue. when i was a kid it was a big game but wasnt the global spectacle it is now n thata coz of 2 players n the army of gloryhuntera n *******.

once they go it will go back down in hype.

but indo pak will always rake in the hundreds of millions.

Exactly people go crazy even for warm ups between Ind/Pak, I recall just that during 2009 World T20. Ind/Pak would sell out 200K stadia in any country, is watched by more people with bigger stakes.

 

[shaz619]

Messi can't draw flies outside Europe. And his choking is killing the sport [MENTION=136193]Adil_94[/MENTION] all hype no substance, a guy with nothing to show in international level is considered by some the King of Football

 

[Aman]

Messi can't draw flies outside Europe. And his choking is killing the sport [MENTION=136193]Adil_94[/MENTION] all hype no substance, a guy with nothing to show in international level is considered by some the King of Football

95,000 at the G for a friendly against a Brazil side with a lot of their stars missing.

Even cricket's only megastar and GOAT couldn't get close to doing those numbers for a WC match

 

[MeanAndGreen]

Because entire villages in India watched India-Pakistan it makes India-Pakistan bigger )

Outside those countries, no one gave a damn.

Barca-Madrid transcends boundaries and is mainstream.

This is the equivalent to comparing Rock-Austin to Hogan-Andre.

More people watched Hogan-Andre, Rock-Austin is more iconic and bigger.

I get what your saying but when you look at amount of people watching Barca-Madrid vs Ind-Pak, think about the proportion of people who are actually heavily invested in the 2 teams. The result of the match only really has an emotional bearing on the ultras of those respective clubs. The rest of the mainstream audience won't remember the match 2 months later.

In general, the rivalry has lost its edge due to the decline of PAK cricket but I feel like Sunday's final will be one of the biggest cricket matches seen in years. An IND vs PAK final in London is a broadcaster's dream.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

el classico has gone huge now because of messi n ronaldo. n ballon d or intrigue. when i was a kid it was a big game but wasnt the global spectacle it is now n thata coz of 2 players n the army of gloryhuntera n .

once they go it will go back down in hype.

but indo pak will always rake in the hundreds of millions.

Quality point.

El Clásico is only drawing in these numbers because some of the greatest players the world has ever seen are playing on both sides.

The fact that IND v PAK can still have this appeal despite PAK being ranked 8 is truly remarkable.

 

[Aman]

Quality point.

El Clásico is only drawing in these numbers because some of the greatest players the world has ever seen are playing on both sides.

The fact that IND v PAK can still have this appeal despite PAK being ranked 8 is truly remarkable.

Even at its peak, India-Pakistan has never been global or mainstream.

IMO you can't be the biggest when the sole reason you're in the discussion because of population.

India-Pakistan is nowhere close to being mainstream or global.

Barca-Madrid and Cavs-GSW are the biggest rivalries in sport atm. India-Pakistan doesn't register because most even know that a rivalry exists.

 

[shaz619]

Messi is killing football with choking, football draws those numbers not Messi or the rivalry. Ind/Pak rivalry can sell out 500K stadia without the likes of Sachin and Imran Khan. People only care about Real/Barca feud due to Ronaldo.

 

[Aman]

Messi is killing football with choking, football draws those numbers not Messi or the rivalry. Ind/Pak rivalry can sell out 500K stadia without the likes of Sachin and Imran Khan. People only care about Real/Barca feud due to Ronaldo.

Cricket legends (Tendulkar, Ponting, Lara etc) couldn't half sell out small baseball stadiums in the States ))

Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and the big football clubs could sell out stadiums around the world.

 

[The intelligent Supporter]

Because entire villages in India watched India-Pakistan it makes India-Pakistan bigger )

Outside those countries, no one gave a damn.

Barca-Madrid transcends boundaries and is mainstream.

This is the equivalent to comparing Rock-Austin to Hogan-Andre.

More people watched Hogan-Andre, Rock-Austin is more iconic and bigger.

let this not distract us from the fact that New Zealand first to be kicked out of CT 2017

 

[QalandarFan]

Can not wait for the match absolutely pumped! Gonna stay up all night for the biggest sporting rivalry in the world Pakistan vs India and that to in a Final!!!

Time to take home our first ever Champions Trophy!


#INDVSPAK

 

[dravidthewall]

Its zazba ...its junoon...its war....yes its india vs pakistan match

 

[shaz619]

Cricket legends (Tendulkar, Ponting, Lara etc) couldn't half sell out small baseball stadiums in the States ))

Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and the big football clubs could sell out stadiums around the world.

Exactly, those legends did good numbers in a non-cricketing territory while those footy gods limit themselves to Europe, South America etc

And beyond that it is the Ind/Pak rivalry which is the huge draw on any continent even africa it would be a sell out, El Jobberisco does not compare

 

[kingusama92]

Even at its peak, India-Pakistan has never been global or mainstream.

IMO you can't be the biggest when the sole reason you're in the discussion because of population.

India-Pakistan is nowhere close to being mainstream or global.

Barca-Madrid and Cavs-GSW are the biggest rivalries in sport atm. India-Pakistan doesn't register because most even know that a rivalry exists.

Agree with your point but I wouldn't include Cavs-GSW in this conversation.

Take out Lebron and that rivalry is finished. There's no history there at all.

 

[shaz619]

Can not wait for the match absolutely pumped! Gonna stay up all night for the biggest sporting rivalry in the world Pakistan vs India and that to in a Final!!!

Time to take home our first ever Champions Trophy!


#INDVSPAK

What time does it start for you? Footy fans would go to sleep if it were the El Jobberisco

 

[Aman]

Agree with your point but I wouldn't include Cavs-GSW in this conversation.

Take out Lebron and that rivalry is finished. There's no history there at all.

Cavs-GSW have gone to the Finals 3 straight years and are doing record ratings.

 

[Aman]

Exactly, those legends did good numbers in a non-cricketing territory while those footy gods limit themselves to Europe, South America etc

And beyond that it is the Ind/Pak rivalry which is the huge draw on any continent even africa it would be a sell out, El Jobberisco does not compare

Dude... Messi and Liverpool did 95,000 at the MCG )

And it's not like cricket where all crowds for those games consist of expat Indians.

 

[Aman]

let this not distract us from the fact that New Zealand first to be kicked out of CT 2017

We're rubbish, so are Australia.

We both didn't win a single game in the tournament and are doomed for 2019.

 

[Syed1]

Its zazba ...its junoon...its war....yes its india vs pakistan match

Zazba )

 

[kingusama92]

Cavs-GSW have gone to the Finals 3 straight years and are doing record ratings.

Oh absolutely it's been brilliant to follow and watch but it's nothing more than a short-term rivalry built on the shoulder of superstars.

10 years from now, no one will care about Cavs-GSW games.

The same can't be said for Barca-Madrid where the players can change but the rivalry remains forever. IND-PAK is closer to this category as it transcends generations.

 

[Aman]

Oh absolutely it's been brilliant to follow and watch but it's nothing more than a short-term rivalry built on the shoulder of superstars.

10 years from now, no one will care about Cavs-GSW games.

The same can't be said for Barca-Madrid where the players can change but the rivalry remains forever. IND-PAK is closer to this category as it transcends generations.

Fair enough.

 

[QalandarFan]

what time does it start for you? Footy fans would go to sleep if it were the el jobberisco

3:30 am

 

[kaayal]

Take the L, Jazzy B.

India-Pakistan only prints money in those countries.

Barca-Madrid is global

That was one hell of a match. Barca played really well.

 

[amax]

Cricket is way behind el classico in global viewership no doubt about but hyping up rivalries is one way to do popularize something,so nothing wrong with hyping up.It will also advertise our Region(South Asia) on a global level(which is still dominated by western media/rivalries)

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Lol, half the viewership stats in india and Pak don't even show up in stats because of the rural areas. Anyone with common sense knows an Ind-Pak match will easily exceed mere 400mn in actual viewership.

 

[MRSN]

Pakistan is no match to this Indian side. That said I think India at this rate would have beaten most teams so I don't think anyone could have stopped them from lifting the trophy. may be England may have given them tough time but they have players who choke in crunch moments too so it's a fitting final between Pak and Ind from a Pakistani perspective. but Pak fans need to be prepared India go out as firmly favorite.

 

[bluevision]

The intensity is not the same these days. I was born in the 80s, can remember the 87 WC vividly. I have seen the peak of fanaticism in the 90s where we were left high and dry most of the time by the timid team. We used to get occasional solace in Tendulkar and a few win here and there.
The interest in cricket is still there but people don't go crazy over the results these days. This Sunday's match will still be watched widely and people will still cheer for the blues. But in case of a loss, the nation will not go into a 'Gloom mode' like in the 90s and if we win I don't expect people to go overboard in celebration (except may be in few smaller towns and few bylanes in the metros). The post match analysis in offices/buses/paanwalas will not go on for a week like in the past. Obviously the semi-literate abusive troll with Jio sims will always be there to spread filth on FB etc.
I am not good at articulating my thoughts. What I meant is that cricket still is, and will remain the most popular sports in India (as we stink at global sports), for a while. But there is a gradual decline in interest although it's barely visible at this moment. Blame it on IPL or endless bi-lateral meaningless serieses. Overkill!

 

[Aman]

The intensity is not the same these days. I was born in the 80s, can remember the 87 WC vividly. I have seen the peak of fanaticism in the 90s where we were left high and dry most of the time by the timid team. We used to get occasional solace in Tendulkar and a few win here and there.
The interest in cricket is still there but people don't go crazy over the results these days. This Sunday's match will still be watched widely and people will still cheer for the blues. But in case of a loss, the nation will not go into a 'Gloom mode' like in the 90s and if we win I don't expect people to go overboard in celebration (except may be in few smaller towns and few bylanes in the metros). The post match analysis in offices/buses/paanwalas will not go on for a week like in the past. Obviously the semi-literate abusive troll with Jio sims will always be there to spread filth on FB etc.
I am not good at articulating my thoughts. What I meant is that cricket still is, and will remain the most popular sports in India (as we stink at global sports), for a while. But there is a gradual decline in interest although it's barely visible at this moment. Blame it on IPL or endless bi-lateral meaningless serieses. Overkill!

If you were good in football, would cricket be as popular?

 

[TNAmarkFromIndia]

If you were good in football, would cricket be as popular?

Hard to say. People think football would be more popular if the team won more, but our football team has been on a roll recently and won 12 of their last 14 matches, taking their ranking to what would be 97, making them the only South Asian side in the top 100, but it hasn't gotten a huge deal of media coverage. I think even if we qualified for the FIFA World Cup, there wouldn't be near the same passion for it as there is for the Cricket World Cup.

 

[bluevision]

If you were good in football, would cricket be as popular?

Football is already big in some parts of the country like North East, Goa, Kerala and even West Bengal. The local derby in Kolkata is played infront of a crowd of 100k. Haven't followed those matches in a while though. Even the low quality ISL with dwindling International biggies attract an avg. Of 20 k per match. There will be a merger if ISL and I-league (the real one minus the glamour for the purists) this year. The city kids follow all the major leagues world wide, mostly to be trendy and ubercool. But these leagues are slowly making in roads to smaller towns. Unfortunately the national football team is cr*p and have only recently managed to break in to the top 100 . At this rate it will take us100 more years to qualify for a world cup. So, no realistic chance of football overtaking cricket in terms of popularity in the near future. But it is slowly dragging​ away a few from cricket for sure. And if somehow the team manages to break into top 50, it will be interesting to see what percentage of the future generations will favor football over cricket.