With still more than a month to go, the catchy ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 song, De Ghumaa Ke, is already making a big impact in the sub-continent and beyond. On this week?s edition of ICC Cricket World audio show, the composers of song, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, talk about the inspiration for their hit tune.
As popular and critically acclaimed music directors of Bollywood, the trio has created an upbeat song, with versions in Hindi, Bangla and Sinhalese that will feature widely in the build-up to and during the tournament that will run from Feb 19 to April 2 in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
?We thought about what one should expect of an anthem, and we wanted to compose a song that appealed to every cross-section of society.
?The title De Ghumaa Ke (literally meaning ?Hit it Hard?) is a term you use whether you?re watching your own local team or Sachin Tendulkar hit a six. That?s the whole idea, a fun song that will catch on and we hope it gets the crowds chanting and dancing in the stands throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup,? they say.
Also on this week?s show, newly appointed New Zealand head coach John Wright looks ahead to his side?s upcoming series against Pakistan and then on to next month?s ICC Cricket World Cup.
?Pakistan have proved to be a difficult opposition who are hard to predict,? says Wright.
?I think looking at the Test series we have to bat consistently well, particularly up front. That?s the area we need to perform on, we need to put good scores on and then I think we can take the match, I think it?s critical for this series.
?I hope we can turn things around for the World Cup, that?s my job, it?s the role I?ve been given. I?m excited about it and I think if we get the boys playing to their potential then we could do well. We?ve got the talent available ? good strikers of the ball and several match-winners ? it just takes a few wins to rebuild confidence,? he adds.
Zimbabwe?s Grant Flower also talks exclusively to the show this week about his retirement from all formats of the game and the highlights of his career.
?I enjoyed every minute of my career, I?m fortunate to have played nearly 12 years of Test cricket and a lot of ODIs. There were a few highs and lows but one of my greatest moments has to be winning our first Test here in Zimbabwe against Pakistan where I scored a double-hundred alongside my brother Andy.