six days to forget cricket

Football would be the religion ...and who would be God?

Well, the search would be on till the last second.

Sounds awkward? Not any more, not to many people, not atleast in the coming month! Soccer mania is leaving no corner in the world uncornered. And Indians have been caught and bowled like never before. Even as football fervour reaches fever pitch, Indians have already padded up for the Cup, waiting anxioulsy for the biggest sporting "mela" to kick-off. Here is the list of some of the uncanny dissimilarities between soccer and cricket. With Indian team touring the Caribbean, it would be worth listening cricket with closed ears and watching soccer with open eyes.

Six- the most exciting phenomenon in cricket and it continues to create mass hysteria like no other feat. Right from lean, Ravi Shastri's 6*6 to stud Mahendra Dhoni, all have weilded the power of six. But does 'six' have some other connotations? Lets see from the six conversations that i overheard.

1) Kumble and Beckham

Kumble: Cricket is a gentlemans game. See the colour of dress, white stands for purity.

Beckham: Being from England i know the attitude of cricketers. Football can be played in shorts. Airy ones. When its hot and muggy, airy clothing is a must. Long boring cricket pants are a complete no-no... Sure they hide ugly, hairy legs but hey, its time and age of the metrosexual. Bring on the bare clean shaven look.

2) Ganguly and Owen

Ganguly: You can take off your shirt and fling it around but that won't be remembered as the defining moment of your career. I did once but had to the face music. I guess i am right man in a wrong a sport. Soccer had always been my first love. how dearly i wish Chappel had come earlier!

Owen: Absolutely right! Remembered for taking your shirt off? Footballers do it all the time. Fine, they get the yellow for it, but who cares...

3) Dravid and Lara

Dravid: Brian, why not have a game of soccer. Afterall world cup fever is catching everyone. (Even the Indian cricket captain is silently praying that his team have a game of football with Brian Lara. Atleast, Lara can't score runs then).

Lara: Mr Dravid, lest you forgot, Trinidad and Tobago have qualified for the World Cup. Dwight Yorke is my close pal. And like old buddies, we'll beat you at the football too, Unless you decide to give Saurav Ganguly a call. Remember the Kolkata footie connection?

4) Yuvraj and Rooney

Yuvraj: Hmm...it's been ages since I last scored a century. i understand that form is temporary and class is permanent. But how long i can convince them.i m finding hard to convince myself now. How about changing by shirt no. from 32 to 17? Thats my last girlfriend's birth date. She will be impressed.

Rooney: You can't keep changing numbers at whims. If its six, then six it is for rest of the career. i too have a girlfreind so what?? Lady luck cannt make u lucky all the time. How about changing the sport you play, then. Gilli danda?

5) Sehwag and Ronaldo

Sehwag: So many times i have felt that we are one step away from winning and the rain god played the spoilsport. i dont fear Shoib Akhtar but weather ...uff.

Ronaldo: You can play football in the rains. Au Contraire in cricket- a few drizzles and bring on the covers, please. Didn't anybody teach you in school: "The human body is insoluble in water "? You can play football in the rain, in snow, at the beach, on the mountains, in the kitchen. In the bathroom. Yup. You can.

6) Sachin and Zidane

Sachin: i have to wear protection at awkward places. And then settle it in full public view, disracting everybody. Its so embarassing. You know what i mean. My 'lunge' is as famous as my cover drive.

Zidane: In football, we keep it simple. When i prepare for the free kick, the wall members cover their most important part with their hand.