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The World Cups!

Its exciting time in sports with two world cups in progress. Being from India, I am fascinated by Cricket world cup which I have been following closely since 1983 when India won its first cricket world cup. I still remember the 1983 world cup final in which India (which was not even underdog) beat 2 times world champion West Indies with many stalwarts. It was and still the biggest Indian achievement in world of sports. Dhoni's team repeated the feat in 2011 and now its time for India to claim the Cup third time. The Indian sub-continent is crazy about cricket and even regular matches make viewing history. India-Pak match was watched by 700 million people - highest watched match possibly in any sports. If India makes into final, this record may also be broken. Just as reference, this is 7 times viewership Super Bowl gets! I won't be surprised to see billion people watching India-Pak match in 2023 world cup (which would be held in India).
While I watch FIFA Men's soccer world cup every 4 years and honestly did not follow Women's soccer world cup, I am very proud that USA women's team made to final and wishing them best of luck to win the Soccer World Cup on Sunday in final against Netherlands. Two sundays - two world cup finals. My adopted country (USA) beat England to go to finals. My mother country (India) also has to beat England to go to Cricket world cup finals. It's exciting time to follow and watch sports!
And it's exciting time for markets too! Market returns in Jun were best since 1938 and with dovish fed, truce in US-China trade wars, economy not too hot and not too cold and corporate earnings not as bad as projected just few months back, markets are poised to make new records. S&P will break 3000 next week and start inching towards year end target of 3100. 
The race for democratic presidential nomination is on. Looking at initial round, looks like Biden is leading contender for nomination. Maybe Biden-Kamala Harris should pair up for common ticket against Trump who may have to dump Pence and select Nicky Haley as VP candidate to counter Kamala factor. It's interesting times for politics!
Happy 4th of July!

Just a follow-up:
USA Women's team won Soccer world cup 2nd time in row. Congrats to team USA!

Despite having great tournament and coming on top of points table, India lost to excellent play by New Zealand in Semi-final. With this loss, billion dreams of winning Cricket world cup in 2019 got crushed. Now onto next cricket world cup in India in 2023!

One Win; One Loss!

/Shyam

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