Indian Cricket
Not Just Another Cup
By Gaurang
June 23 2010
The Asia Cup was first played in 1984, and 2010 version is the tenth edition of the tournament to be held. It is arguably the second most important ODI tournament in cricket after the World Cup.
Called the Rothmans Asia Cup in 1984, it featured India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka battling for supremacy. The Indians, fresh from their World Cup victory and victory in the Benson and Hedges Cup in Australia were favorites, though the captaincy had shifted from Kapil Dev to Sunil Gavaskar. India duly won the Cup, making it three wins in three international one day tournaments, a huge turn around from a side that was eliminated in the league stages of the 1979 World Cup. Over the years India has won the cup four times, while current champions Sri Lanka have also won the championship four times. The only other team to win the Cup is Pakistan who won it in 2000.
The Asia Cup was supposed to be held every two years and was supposed to foster unity and understanding among the cricketing nations of Asia. That it has not really succeeded in either goal, is more due to the lack of importance given to the tournament, especially by the Asian boards, and the BCCI in particular. This neglect is then mirrored by the media in these countries, again especially India, and to a large extent the fans too. Huge advertising campaigns are launched around the ICC sponsored World Cup, and Champions Trophy. Books sponsored by corporate entities such as Wills (the cigarette manufacturers) recount the history of the World Cup, and entire issues of magazines such as SportStar or Cricinfo are published for the World Cup. Sadly very little such activity is seen around the Asia Cup.
The 2010 edition of the Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka did away with the minnows, limiting the tournament to only the four Test nations of Asia. This was supposed to cut down on mismatches and make the tournament more competitive, but the poor performance of Bangladesh who were outclassed in all three of their matches, meant that in reality even this shortened version of the cup had a couple of “dead rubber” games. In hindsight it would have been much more interesting to have included a couple of associates such as Afghanistan and UAE or Hong Kong. For the “minnows” it would have been a rare chance to play with the big boys. In fact, one feels that Afghanistan, which has made incredible strides in cricket recently would have been more competitive than a lackluster Bangladesh.
The final will see India take on Sri Lanka who must be considered favorites to lift the cup for the third time in a row, especially as they are playing at home. However, India who have had a poor record of late in multi-team ODI tournaments would be very eager to win this venerable, if somewhat under-appreciated, Trophy for a record fifth time. It would be a very nice feather in the cap for Captain Mahi and his boys and a nice way to warm-up for the full World Cup which will be held just a few months from now.
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23/06/2010 18:43
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:06:29:17:23:01 by Birbal.
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
I bet it is not even 1/100th of that of the World Cup...
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
Quote:Max
True Birbal, the World Cup is the main topic of sports discussion in media and among public. The Asia Cup is still being followed, but this time there won't be much reaction even if India lose the final.
Typical, in that we are more interested in a tournament where we don't even participate... (Soccer World Cup) than in one where we have a history of success and achievement...and which also highlights regional pride...
Quote:audioman
Nice write-up, though I highly doubt if it is "venerable". They should do away with this sorry excuse of a tournament next year onwards.
Is the reason it is not "venerable" because it has not been blessed by gora folk?
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
Quote:audioman
Is the only reason it is "venerable" because it has not been blessed by gora folk?
audioman...you are being too smart...
I suggest nothing of the sort... I do say the most IMPORTANT ODI even is the World Cup...which has been blessed by gora folk...just fyi...
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
Quote:BirbalQuote:Max
True Birbal, the World Cup is the main topic of sports discussion in media and among public. The Asia Cup is still being followed, but this time there won't be much reaction even if India lose the final.
Typical, in that we are more interested in a tournament where we don't even participate... (Soccer World Cup) than in one where we have a history of success and achievement...and which also highlights regional pride...
i don't think it is a question of pride - I think we are too much cricked out- whereas world cup football - because it is once every four years - one just craves for it - in cricket it seems like there is world cup of something every 6 months - even a guy like me who use to watch ranji matches regularly - have lost interest - of course my problem also is about liking too many sports
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Tendulkar is the greatest cricketer of all time
Plus your kids are very good at soccer, no?
So you are forgiven...
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