For the love of the game

There's definitely something about being back in the US during baseball season. Seeing all the familiar faces, all the anticipation that the beginning of each season holds... I even won Yankees tickets in a benefit raffle, but alas, am now back in Hyderabad too soon to watch my team.

I gotta say, though, as much as I love the Yankees and the thrill each time we beat the Red Sox... it doesn't hold a candle to the visceral national ecstasy that filled the air when India not only beat Pakistan in the World Cup semi-finals, but then, against all odds, went on to beat Sri Lanka in the finals earlier this month!!

Priya makes fun of me and Tyler for sitting in a Chinese restaurant while madness ensued all around us. But despite that, we definitely caught the euphoria walking back home. Hyderabad let loose in a way that I've never experienced: men waving huge Indian flags on the back of their motorcycles, speeding down Road 10; dancing in the streets; local fireworks galore.

The excitement, passion, and national pride were palpable. One billion fans celebrating.

Some incredible pictures of the sub-continent living and breathing cricket during the World Cup from Boston.com. As Dan says, it's pure passion to play on a staircase, on the tracks, on a roof... and the green hair is pretty cool too!