Opinion | Sambit Bal >> The Kolkata factor If the city-based loyalties that the IPL is banking on ever do take hold, they will do so in one city first April 30, 2008 The Eden Gardens crowd has a fervent and partisan passion for cricket © AFP   It is impossible to watch a match, any match, at Eden Gardens and not get in touch with Kolkata's soul. It is a soul in which throbs a fervent and positively partisan passion for cricket. Kolkatans have never bothered disguising their loyalty, and it just took two balls during the Kolkata Knight Riders match against Mumbai to encapsulate how this city responds to the game. Inevitably, both involved Sourav Ganguly. The first ball Ganguly faced - it was only the second ball of the match - was, not surprisingly, a bouncer. But Shaun Pollock is not the quickest, and Ganguly, who had perhaps seen it coming, helped it safely, if not authoritatively, to the midwicket boundary. If you didn't know the context, the crowd reaction would have made you believe that the tournament had been won with that single stroke. About 80,000 fans sprang to their feet. Their collective rapture would have reverberated through the city. It was an awesome sight - thousands of hands waving in the air, bodies swaying to music, and a sense of glorious bonding electrifying the surroundings. It was hopelessly over the top, but it was impossible to escape the charge, not to feel one with the moment. And yet, within a minute, the place resembled a morgue. Pollock pitched the ball up, and shaped it away from Ganguly, who couldn't resist wafting at it. Sanath Jayasuriya caught the ball above his head and Ganguly was gone, having provided merely a glimpse of what could have been possible. The centrepiece of the evening's show was already over, but never mind. Ricky Ponting strode in purposefully, and a banner went up in the stands for the man at the other end: "McCullum, don't go home". The Knight Riders have now lost two matches in a row, and both Ponting and McCullum are going home, but make no mistake, Shah Rukh Khan is on to a good thing. Kolkata represents the best hope for the Indian Premier League. Or let's put it another way, if the IPL doesn't succeed here, it has no hope elsewhere. The Knight Riders have a lot going for them. Sport runs in Kolkata's veins; it is ingrained in the socio-cultural fabric of the city, and though fans here can often be irrational, there is also a discernible intellectual rigour to the public discourse on cricket. The Knight Riders have an icon player who represents a state's aspirations (for an idea of what Ganguly means to Bengal, take Sachin Tendulkar's pan-Indian appeal and multiply by two); and a superstar owner whose magnetism and charisma transcend regional chauvinism. Kolkatans are an emotional lot who love their heroes, and they have taken to Shah Rukh with an urgent fervour.     Kolkata represents the best hope for the Indian Premier League. Or let's put it another way, if the IPL doesn't succeed here, it has no hope elsewhere   In fact, Shah Rukh fills the city. He features on most of hoardings that the franchise has plastered over all parts of the city, imploring fans to join the Knight Riders fan clubs, hailing "All the King's men", and warning opponents not to mess with his team. When I land at Sonar Bangla, the hotel the Knight Riders have turned into their camp, I find the place overrun with television crews. They are all waiting for Shah Rukh, who is flying down from Paris on a chartered fight. My taxi driver is yet to see Shah Rukh in person, but excitedly points at the Knight Riders team bus which is parked outside the hotel. "Every time I pass the hotel, I see the bus," he says with an air of fulfilment. At the ground, the chemistry between Shah Rukh and the fans is palpable. And Shah Rukh knows how to play to gallery. The stadium goes berserk when he makes his first appearance and bows to the stands, and for the best part of the evening they sway to him. Between balls and between overs all eyes gravitate towards Shah Rukh, who employs a familiar gyration to rouse the crowd into supporting his team. The dancing girls don't stand a chance before him. By all accounts Shah Rukh is an involved yet detached owner. He stays out of the cricket decisions but has developed strong personal relationships with the players. "The best thing about him is that he puts no pressure on us," said one, "He respects the players and makes them feel special. The general refrain is that we are all in this together, and even if we lose, we will go down together." Shah Rukh sits through the team meetings quietly, but each time, at the end he teaches the players a new dance step. Shah Rukh Khan has stayed out of cricket decisions but has developed good personal relations with the players © AFP   After Kolkata's first loss, to the Chennai Super Kings, every member of the team received a consolation SMS from Shah Rukh, which ended with the promise that he would be there with them soon, and that there would be another dance step to learn. Kolkata seems the only city of the IPL's eight where the idea of a fan club has taken root. The stands are awash with black-and-gold jerseys. Most bear No. 12, the number that belongs to Shah Rukh, who is the team's unofficial 12th man. The team's anthem "Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo", is a raging hit. It fulfils the most important criteria for a team song: it is inclusive, rousing and eminently chantable. A roar goes up in the stands every time it is played. In comparison, the Mumbai Indians' anthem sounds like a discordant interruption. As fans filed out of the ground after their team had lost to Mumbai, some were heard singing the anthem with a note of sarcasm. But that's what Kolkata fans are like: they bare their soul in support of their team but take defeats as a personal affront. Make no mistake, though, they will be back at the next match and Eden Gardens will be a spectacle again. Very soon. Sambit Bal is the editor of Cricinfo © Cricinfo

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Posted by Mina_Anand on May 03 2008, 12:52 PM GMT

With apologies to the author, “Ganguly is an icon whose appeal (like that of Sachin’s and SRK’s) transcends regional chauvinism." The 'Prince of Kolkata' has fans all over India. One only has to listen to the roars (even on TV) that greet Ganguly whenever and wherever, he comes out to bat. Or, watch a match 'live' at 'non-Eden Gardens' grounds, to witness the cheers that go up when 'dada' appears. I can testify to two of these 'non-Bengal-grounds' matches....In November 2005, (at the height of his 'exile'), Ganguly hit a big hundred for Bengal, in the Ranji Trophy Match against Maharashtra, and, stamping regional loyalties, the Pune crowd egged this great 'Indian' player on. More recently, in the test series against South Africa, the Chennai cricket fans went berserk when the Southpaw came out to bat, or stood fielding near the boundary ropes. Which is why, the perception that Ganguly just 'belongs to Bengal' is just that – a perception.

Posted by prats_p on May 03 2008, 04:45 AM GMT

i have seen most of the statements here and no one who has not been here at Eden's or in any city hotels and small restaurants will ever understand what the article is all about. It is all true. I am presently at Kolkata, though not a KKR supporter, I support Dhoni which translates into CSK support. The conditions are atrocious to watch cricket here, but the Kolkatans are mad about the game, they are partisan no questions asked , but hey thats what this IPL has wanted. People will appreciate other teams as well but support just one. You just cannot miss the enthusiasm of the common cricket fanatic here, its just amazing ! I have not been to other venues but i doubt the kind of frantic support the KKR's get here is replicated anywhere else.

Posted by kolbburg on May 02 2008, 23:08 PM GMT

Zuhair, if you're not from Kolkata, you will never understand what Kolkata stands for, so don't even try. This is not to belittle you or anyone else, that's just how it stands... And before you ask, I have indeed lived in more places than one, and in more countries than one. Yes, there have been instances of unpleasant behaviour, but trust me, those are episodes that Kolkatans themselves are least proud of. Eden Gardens has been host to the largest number of test matches in India (I cannot confirm the data for ODIs), so please don't let two instances mar your opinion about Kolkata and the Eden Gardens. I think what makes Kolkata unique is the fact that it is full of glaring contradictions, yet it is also a city that will endear you like no other. Come to Kolkata, feel it, live it... Don't comment on this one city without being here.

Posted by CCUFALCONS on May 02 2008, 21:36 PM GMT

So i guess the comments here are basically saying that it is wrong for a home city to support its home side? Well then basically you have all lost the basic picture and purpose of the IPL. To compare the success of soccer and cricket, one would have to compare the amount of attitude it is played with. When Arsenal or Man United loses a game, nothing keeps the fan from going wild.For a game to become famous, it must entice fervor among the people. In Kolkata, we know what the word "Sport" means. We know how to support our country and our state.The only way that cricket can be made famous in the current world is if it becomes "emotionally draining". We Kolkatans love sports and if cricket gets a hold of people here we will create a new age in cricket which will lead to something as big as the English Premier League in Soccer. It will start in Kolkata, weather you like it or not, because we know the true passion with which to play sport, and trust me, we know how to lose as well as win.

Posted by mchak on May 02 2008, 12:13 PM GMT

I think the big point a lot of people are missing here is that in Kolkata and particularly Eden Gardens Sourav "Dada" Ganguly is like a God. Now it may be IPL and everything, but cricket is cricket and if Ganguly is playing the Bengali crowds will horde in to support him. It's not about cricket expertise or knowledge of the game, it is sheer passion and pride in the game and players that make it such as ecstatic crowd.

Posted by Zuhair on May 02 2008, 07:28 AM GMT

Kolakkata crowd beavior is more to do with thier inability and unwillingness to take anything that goes against the home side. They may well be cricket crazy, but certainly they are the ones with least cricketing knowledge in India. Moreover, what is IPL doing to cricket? In what way is it helping the game round the globe or lets say even in India? A select band of individuals is making money andthe general public is paying them and at what cost? At the cost of the game's integrity and a possible decline of tradional one-day cricket.

Posted by anujbeatles on May 01 2008, 17:17 PM GMT

All Indian fans don't reside in Kolkata, there are many more educated and passionate fans spread across the globe who equally follow cricket in all it's forms. Saying IPL's future depends on how it is received at the Edens is a very foolish statement from a fellow cricket addict. Please restrain from making statements like "The Knight Riders have an icon player who represents a state's aspirations (for an idea of what Ganguly means to Bengal, take Sachin Tendulkar's pan-Indian appeal and multiply by two)" don't polarise a discussion solely on the basis of where you come from. And, mind you, Bengal fans have been the most irrational if you look at the recent past, Sourav may be god, but he's just another player, he has to play for the team and not behave like a 'maharaja'. Today's events at Jaipur just back this statement - bullying the umpire into referring the decision to the third umpire - which was given in ganguly's favour because of benefit of doubt- the video was not sharp enoug

Posted by Indian_Don on May 01 2008, 15:11 PM GMT

its IPL man. Its not about Kolkata or any other city. Cheergirls are bringing people into the stands but for how long. I am kolkatan and I really dont feel Knight riders got something to do with Kolkatak. Shahrukh Khan makes money not Kolkata.

Posted by surya_adi on May 01 2008, 12:26 PM GMT

Sambit, let's not get carried away. These are fans who can't see their team lose. Appreciating good cricket is one thing, rooting for your team at any cost is quite another. Remember how the fans behaved when the Indian team was staring defeat in the 1996 world cup semi finals against SriLanka at the Eden Gardens?

Posted by bis_d on May 01 2008, 11:13 AM GMT

All this really tells us is what we already know - the Bongs are crazy about anything do with Kolkata. What would have been more interesting would have been some insight into the history of Calcutta as the first city of British India, the complexities of the Bengali identity and its relationship with its colonial overlords, the position of Kolkata as the intellectual capital of modern India, the emerging new moneyed classes in the city coexisting with the longest period of electoral rule by a Commnunist Party in the state of West Bengal to which Kolkata belongs. All this would have given us far more understanding of the matrix of factors governing the role of Kolkata in the Bengali identity than a hagiographic and superficial emphasis on Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav Ganguly.

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