Divy Tripathi - ARTICLES

‘Upset’ in sports terminology is a reference to an underdog doing the unimaginable by either holding a superior side for a draw/tie or defeating them. There is something about the ‘Rocky Balboa’ experience that excites our imagination. Perhaps, the fact that the less touted also have their moment to shine is what makes them connect with the viewers. It could mean anything from an inexperienced side stunning the world champions (Ashraful taking the fight to Australia and winning in Cardiff 2005) to a non-test playing Kenya entering the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa after having beaten the likes of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

After India had been shot out for 36 in the first Test at Adelaide, there were two kinds of reactions which dominated the social media and cricket columns: One was of shock and horror at this unexpected turn of events after a balanced start to the Test with India in a lead going into day 3, while the other was to fight the fire which could have engulfed the team in case an inquisition was carried out.

“The fourth evening of the first Test between England and West Indies saw a surprising move by Jimmy Adams, who decided to send in not one but two nightwatchmen after both West Indian openers had been dismissed cheaply by some exceptional swing bowling. Luckily for West Indies, Ambrose and Rose were able to stave off Gough & co. preventing any further damage. England would look to knock off the duo before looking for the prized wicket of Lara while West Indies would hope that by deepening their batting, they could pull off an upset by chasing a target of 277 on a pitch becoming increasingly conducive to the English bowlers.”

Roger Ebert once famously said that Video games can never be art. While the debate that followed is not going to concern us here but what can be said is that Video gaming has come a long way in terms of accessibility, being able to grant their users an experience which is unique yet relatable to real events or works of fiction and in general being acceptable to public at large.