Pujas and havans go on in India as they take on Pakistan in Birmingham

Cricket is a religion in India and India-Pakistan clashes adorn a festive spirit in both countries. Crazy cricket fans get emotionally attached with such encounters as rivalry gets the better of them. India has been on an evergreen winning spree since the two countries met each other in World Cups and major ICC tournaments.

India is on its toes as the match between the two rivals is underway at Birmingham. The atmosphere is charged up and fans are enjoying the most talked encounter of the tournament. Emotions are running high as prayers and havans have already started in different parts of India.

Varanasi, the holiest city of India has been gripped by the cricket fever. Special prayers have already started to bless the Indian team with good performances. People offering the prayers wore a tense look, though loud chants can be heard from many pockets of the city.

Gorakhpur had a similar look with havans being performed for India’s victory. The fans have full faith in their team and are sure that India will win the match.

Fans’ reaction

“We are performing this havan because we want India to defeat Pakistan in today’s match,” said the fans. Normally cricket is the No. 1 sport in India but it adds a different dimension when India plays Pakistan. We have seen the intensity reaching a fierce level and emotions get frayed when the matches go on.

Meanwhile, the sports minister of India has shunned any cricketing terms with Pakistan. But he softened his stance when he said that the government will not interfere in overseas tournaments such as Champions trophy.

Pakistan holds a slight edge over India in the fact that they have defeated their rival twice in the Champions Trophy. But their World Cup run is dismal. India has been in tremendous form going into the tournament. They have defeated New Zealand and Bangladesh in the warm-up matches quite comfortably. Pakistani captain, however, expressed positiveness saying that they will take this encounter as a normal game.