About a billion people watched on television as India beat Pakistan by 29 runs, reaching the World Cup final
In the northern Indian city of Mohali, prime ministers Manmohan Singh of India and Yousaf Raza Gilani of Pakistan paraded together in the sunshine in the prosaic stadium hosting this World Cup semi-final. They shook hands with one and all, and beamed and waved to a cheering crowd.
It was an opportunity the politicians could not resist. But they could not hijack the event.
The build-up to the match had been surreal. Chandigarh, where the players have been based, had become a fortress with khaki-clad soldiers at every corner, no-fly zones and guns aplenty. Both nations came to a standstill to watch the match, which became a ticket tout's paradise. At the nearby military airport there were not enough parking spaces for the private jets of the VIPs. An estimated 1 billion people watched on television.
The prize for the victors was immense. Not only was there the small matter of national pride in the derby of all derbies, there was also a place in the final of the World Cup, for which Sri Lanka have already qualified, in Mumbai on Saturday. Yet, despite all those distractions, the two teams produced a breathtaking game, fiercely yet fairly contested, which was won by India by 29 runs to the delirium of those packed into the stands. Somehow the cricket overtook the politics.
It was, however, a nerve-racking occasion for the players. Even Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest batsman of his generation, who is deified in India, betrayed his mortality. Tendulkar hit 85 but, by his standards, it was a scratchy, fraught affair. He was dropped four times by Pakistan fielders; he survived a couple of reviews by the third umpire. And he was unable to notch the 100th international century of his career.
Yet his was a critical innings, the highest of the match, which allowed the home side to muster 260 runs in their first innings. Many more had seemed possible when Virender Sehwag was flaying the new ball to all parts, especially when it was being bowled by Umar Gul, an experienced Pakistan paceman, who seemed more affected than anyone by the occasion.
Instead, Pakistan had to rely upon the burly Wahab Riaz, who took five for 46 from 10 overs, and their assortment of spinners to keep the Indians in check.
In reply, the Pakistan batsmen flickered but none caught light. Shahid Afridi, the maverick captain, flailed away defiantly. But in the end his opposite number, Mahendra Dhoni, the epitome of modern India –"Empire? What Empire?" – coolly led his side to victory.
As for the prime ministers, there were still smiles at the end even if one of them was forced. They went off into the night for dinner together. Who knows whether they were discussing Kashmir or cricket?