As India and Pakistan get ready to lock horns in the Champions Trophy, we ask ourselves if an India-Pakistan match ignites the same feelings anymore.
Is it still a matter of life and death? Is it war without the weapons?
When I toured Pakistan in 2004, cricket came out of the sports pages and appeared on the front pages of national dailies. There was an extensive coverage in electronic media too. An India-Pakistan cricket match was always special, for the countries identified their progress with the progress of their cricket team. Since both countries were still developing into independent nations, there wasn't too much to boast about.
Winning a cricket match was a means to assert superiority. While there was always keen interest, the kind of media interest in a cricket match we saw in 2004 was unheard of, and it hasn't changed since then. Even though the actual cricket is not half as exciting as it used to be in the 80-90s, media hasn't stopped milking the cash-cow called India-Pakistan game.
Let's get down to business and look at what India needs to do to start the campaign on a winning note. And if there are any concerns that need addressing from India's perspective.