India v Afghanistan: Cricket World Cup – live

Like all normal people, I spend significant quantities of time debating in what order I’m going to do England’s overseas tours – when, of course, my OBO digs allow me to retire a rich man. Generally, this list comprises Test serieseseses – a bit of Caribbean beach-fun here, some Saffer safari there – but increasingly, I’m thinking that nothing can compare to following India through an Indian World Cup.

When we go on sporting trips, what we’re looking for, most of all, is intensity. Sure, it’s nice to have a nice holiday, but we don’t need cricket for that; what the game brings that’s different is context, and 1.4 billion people all fanatically obsessed by the same, self-contained wonder, gives this thing of ours as much weight at it can possibly bear. Nothing in the game matters more; nothing in the game even comes close.

India started the tournament nicely, walloping Australia, while Afghanistan took a hiding off Bangladesh; chances are, something similar happens today. Limited-overs cricket, though, allows for one serious performance to define a match, likewise one major choke, and given the pressure under which India exist, both options are possible. But even if today goes as expected and ends in a straightforward win for the tournament favourites, the fact remains: what we’re about to enjoy is the greatest event currently happening on this awful, wonderful planet of ours, so let’s wade right in.

Play: 2.30am local, 9.30am BST