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epa07686725 (20/41) An Indian boy plays a shot during a net practice at a cricket coaching class at Oval ground in Mumbai, India, 21 May 2019. Cricket, a sport dubbed as a religion in India owing to its unmatched popularity, has once again become a national obsession with the World Cup 2019 currently underway in England, the birthplace of the Gentleman's Game. The tournament kicked off on May 30 and will conclude on Jul.14, with India among the favorites to lift the coveted trophy. Cricket is more than just a sport for the country. The quadrennial showpiece event has been instrumental in shaping the identity of the country of over one billion people. People from different religions, caste, creed, race, and economic status come together in supporting their team, forging a sense of unity and solidarity rarely seen in a country as diverse as India, considered a melting pot of cultures. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI ATTENTION: For the full PHOTO ESSAY text please see Advisory Notice epa07686703, epa07686704 and epa07686705