Watching it live or enjoying the ‘Gentleman’s game’ with family at abode, this Saturday was all about cricket. With the first T20 match between India and Australia at the JSCA International Stadium in their home ground denizens enjoyed every moment of the game be it standing in long queues for tickets, painting their faces in tricolour, writing slogans for the match or buying the team India coloured T-Shirts.
For some it was the first time live experience to watch their favourite cricketers in action. On the other hand, the prediction of light rainfall kept several sport enthusiasts confined to their homes. However, the sporting spirit remained same.
leisure buffs who headed towards Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium Complex has only one strong reason to cite—’they cannot miss out the action between two strongest competitors, India Vs Australia’ in their home town. With painted faces, tri-colour caps, Ts, flags, the zest of cricket aficionados was soaring high both at the cricket stadium including in and around the city streets.
Waiting since years to watch ‘men in blue’ taking on some strong opponent like Aussies, a local resident, Shaurya Srivastava said, “I am going to watch cricket match live for the first time.
I am here to cheer my team and spent some quality time with friends. Also, watching ‘Mahi’ playing at his home-ground is a different experience that cannot be expressed in words. I am excited to watch out how India will take on Kangaroos,” said a Neeta a college student.
Similarly, some city residents willingly chose to stay at their place and enjoy the power packed Saturday. A city resident, Ravi Prasad sharing his experience said, “As all roads lead towards one destination—JSCA Stadium when any match is organized here, it becomes really tedious for us to reach home. I had twice faced the situation when my family got badly stuck in traffic jam while returning home.”
Prasad in jest added, “It is better to cling with television set to get the glimpse of star cricketers. Also you won’t miss out any action here until you are disturbed by someone who does not like cricket.”
Though this is not the first time when an international cricket match is organised here at JSCA but for all sport adherents watching ‘Mahi’ and blue brigade live is a visual treat.
On the weekend, people from distant places who managed to collect tickets headed towards the International Cricket Complex from 3:30 pm onwards to cheer team India and the queues continued as late as 8 pm when the game was on for over an hour.