Well.. it wasn’t a shock.. but it sure was electric!! I am talking about the atmosphere in the CCI on 13th March 2010 – the venue and date for the IPL 2010 match between the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals. My first stadium experience and boy, did I have a great time!
Enough with the exclamation marks already.. I know.. Hehe.. I couldn’t stop grinning at the end of it.. a Mumbai Indians win – a beautiful century by Yusuf Pathan – a nail-biting finish and my day was made.. Sachin’s early exit made us a little glum – we were hoping for atleast a 50.. Rayadu and Tiwary more than made for it with their gutsy half-centuries. The entire junta was hooting for the local team, except a few who made it a point to dance around when Pathan was on the war-path.
All the guys had a wide grin plastered on their faces – courtesy the RR cheerleaders prancing right in front of us. Finally, the East Stand had its advantages ;)
T-shirts in 2 shades of blue, curly blue hair, balloons and banners in blue – it was blue all the way. Zaheer’s penultimate over had us standing on our seats in eager anticipation. What do I say about Lasith Malinga’s wonderful last over – Chants of “MA-LIN-GA! MA-LIN-GA!” in perfect unison were heard encouraging the curly haired seamer – and he did not disappoint.
Mumbai Indians won by 4 runs – however, measly be the margin, it would be an unforgettable match for me. The crowd, the noise, the energy, the proximity to the action and the exciting finish, all made it a complete package..
P.S. As I finish scribbling this, MI have just won by 98 runs (Woohooo!!!!) over the Delhi Daredevils with a 63 by the Little Maestro, lovely fielding by one sub in the DD team – Yogesh Nagar and smart wicket-keeping by Aditya Tare.
