When twenty-two gentlemen – 11 each from India and West Indies- entered the field, around 46,000 spectators – face painted with Indian tricolours- stood up from their chairs and waved the Indian flags and cheered the teams with full enthusiasm while the national anthems were being played. This was the opening scene of ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011 – India vs West Indies- at M. A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
The moment the game started, I was thrilled. The audience marvellously cheered for the Indian team who they fondly call the ‘Men In Blue’. I couldn’t resist cheering the home team. Screaming slogans and chanting – ‘Saaaaachin,,,,Sachin……..Saaaaaachin…….Sachin’.
And the hero did not disappoint. Wherever he fielded on the ground, he would turn to the hundreds behind them and acknowledged their presence. Our hooting didn’t go waste as Sachin turned to us and simply waved. This was enough to make our day.
Participating (and sometimes initiating) in the Mexican wave, playing thunder sticks with full zeal and breaking into a jig every time the Indians took a wicket was fun indeed.
Equally exciting was India’s star batsman – Yuvraj Singh. I was lucky enough to witness his first century in a World Cup match. Seated in the H Lower stand, commonly known as Pepsi stand, we danced every time he smashed the ball around the park. And the background music for him was aptly – Singh is King, Singh is King.
The deejay seemed to know exactly what the crowd wanted to listen to. The loudspeakers belted English, Hindi and Tamil hits one after the other. This one incident in the match comes to mind – the deejay very promptly played ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ when a puppy dog halted the game for a few minutes as he ran across the field. The atmosphere in Chepauk stadium was unforgettable.
If it wasn’t for my friend, Megha Kuchu, I wouldn’t have managed to get tickets as the match was sold out weeks ago. Eleven of us in our group started vying to get the tickets. But finally, we decided upon the draw of lots since we had only four tickets. Though I wasn’t lucky enough to get my name in the lots, but my friend- Ananya Baneerjee- gave me her ticket realizing that watching that game would be historical for me.And when the counters were open for the sale of tickets, police had to charge baton to control the cricket fans.
Watching the stars of the cricketing world live in action was like a dream come true for me. I can only imagine the passion I would have had for the Nepali team if they had qualified.
I must say the crowd management during that match was very good (enough security deployed) though I have heard that the crowd management in the Indian sub- continent is inefficient. In fact, the first-class crowd management of the event only added to the experience. Seeing the crowd turnout, I realised, that cricket indeed brought Indians together. Each spectator celebrated with the other, all the inhibitions faded.
When I was all set to come to India for my further studies (in 2010), I remember my friends had said, “India is going to make you a fan of cricket.” And that obviously proved to be right because I learnt the rules of the game and enjoyed it. So, I must say watching Cricket World Cup, 2011 was one of the best moments of my life!
loved it! Very well worded
P.S : BANERJEE!
One of the many things you will eventually get addicted to in India! No matter how much we suck in many areas (which you will be well acquainted with after 10 months of unadulterated fun. Although Chennai is a sad place to start with!)!!
^ Excuse Chennai is a sad place to start with ? We are the best cricketing audience in the nation and probably unmatched world over.