Cricket World Cup: Planning to fall sick tomorrow?

So, what will be your excuse for bunking work on Thursday , when India takes on Australia in the semifinal? As many as 34% of 6,000 officegoers surveyed nationwide said they would call in sick, while 2% plan to go to the extent of saying their houses have been burgled.

While most of India's matches in the Cricket World Cup have been during week ends, the India-Australia semifinal, billed as the “final before the final“, is on Thursday, leaving fans anxious about how and where to watch it.

Though almost 60% of re spondents virtuously said they would report for work, may offices to are getting into the festive spirit.

Nayantara Pani, business head of Bangalore-based PlayRight, said, “I've given leave to my staff. We're into sport communications and are sports enthusiasts. If there's a super important meeting, it'll be only after 4.30 pm.“

An excited Pallavi Singh, 38, of Citibank, Gurgaon, said, “We've declared Thursday a no-meeting day to support our nation. Venue not fixed but (we'll be) with peers at hub or big screen at work.Bleed Blue! The game is on!“ A Coca Cola spokesperson said, “Match days are usually relaxed in our office. We haven't granted leave to employees, but they're free to gather in the cafeteria or in their bosses' cabins to watch the match.“

On the other hand, Shalini Pillai, head of people, performance and culture, KPMG in India, said its employees have been granted leave on Thursday . “It's time to celebrate India reaching the semi-final in the all important clash with Australia. KPMG supports Team India and wishes them all the best for this momentous match.“

In Ludhiana, fans are prepping for a grand celebration with many residents having booked tractors to take their celebrations to the streets. On match day , many restaurants are offering heavy discounts and giving away freebies for each boundary hit or century scored.

Kochi teen Mark Anthony , whose 12th grade state board exams are going on, said, “My mom doesn't let me watch TV but my tuition teacher Varghese never misses an India match. And that gives me and friends some hope of catching a few overs with him.“

In Chennai, Vasanth Raj, an auto consultant, said that he would go to work only after the game is over. “It's an important game for us and there's no way I am going to office. I've asked for half-a-day leave.“

In Kolkata, MNC professionals, professors, cricket fans are planning to either reschedule their work or skip office altogether.Gourisankar Sa, a Bose Institute professor, said, “For me on Thursday , the World Cup match will top the priority . I have one class which I'll wrap up quickly and follow the match on internet in the laboratory . Somdutta Basu, an MNC employee, said, “Initially I had thought of taking leave, but then I decided to bunk work till the match is over citing official meetings etc.“

ESPNcricinfo, which interviewed 6,000 respondents, said, “Cricket fans will not let work get in the way of them enjoying the much-awaited World Cup tournament. Sixty two per cent said they will miss work at some point. When it comes to what excuses they would use to skip work, the time-tested method of calling in sick appeals more to the younger fans; 75% fans over 30 are open to skipping work to watch a match.“