While getting tipsy with friends at Janata a few nights ago on Wednesday, 2 March, with the Cricket World Cup England-Ireland match playing on a wall T.V. in the background, I couldn't help but notice the way everyone in the room (well, almost everyone) was supporting Ireland.
Why was this? Why do we automatically align ourselves with one particular team each time a cricket match is on? Well, I think a lot of people just like supporting the underdogs. We would of course support India if they were playing, as national affiliations come first in the cheering order of things. And of course if we're neutral towards both parties, the fact that we just like one better as a nation also plays a part in whom we cheer for, the factors contributing towards 'liking' being that we don't hate anyone in that team, common race and historical factors, oppression, etc.
How would these factors play out over other international matches? Here are some examples. We'd generally support:
India in any match involving India.
Ireland, Canada, Kenya or the Netherlands in any match of theirs not involving India, as they haven't pissed us off in any way, and they're the underdogs. And we like the Irish. Something about kinsmanship with people from other occupied territories.
New Zealand in any match not involving the nations mentioned above.
New Zealand in any match not involving the nations mentioned above.
The West Indies in any match not involving the nations mentioned above.
Bangladesh in any match not involving the nations mentioned above.
Bangladesh in any match not involving the nations mentioned above.
Sri Lanka in any match not involving the nations mentioned above.
Zimbabwe in any match not involving the nations mentioned above.
England only in matches involving South Africa, Pakistan or Australia.
South Africa only in matches involving Pakistan or Australia.
Pakistan in a Pakistan-Australia match, as watching Australia lose is more fun than watching Pakistan lose.
We don't support Australia in any match.
Do these loyalties carry outside the sport of cricket? I'm sure they do. When it comes to relationship spats, celebrity fights, wars, corporate feuds, etc., I'm sure we all subconsciously support, or at least want to support one side, one team. We want to take sides. Even based on the flimsiest of excuses. It's in our nature.
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