Shades Of Blue

Everywhere the eyes could see,there were Indian fans dressed to support the home team. Corridors of the Churchgate station,despite a heavy security cover,had turned into a default dressing room for fans,who stood there getting their faces painted with colours of the Indian flag or slogans out of which ‘Bleed Blue’ was a favourite. Team India jerseys were pulled on,rainbow wigs sat on heads,and flags draped shoulders. Some had settled for Mumbai Indians jerseys,while many were carrying pictures of Sachin Tendulkar or had his name painted on any and every exposed body part. “Sachin banayega century,” screamed one young man,as he whizzed by on a motorcycle. One young fan,Ruchika Shah had braided together three different dupattas — red,white and green — to create a new,more patriotic dupatta. “I didn’t have the time to look for a saffron dupatta,” she said,with a tinge of regret,before adding,“But it’s the thought that counts.” Shah too was one of the many fans,who,despite not having a ticket,turned up near the stadium.

Rony Mody from Bandra and his cousin Ankit Kadakia,on the other hand,did have tickets. “We’ve spent Rs 10,000 on these tickets,” said Mody,“and these were the cheaper ones. Many have gone for much higher.” For the duo,it was money well-spent. “India is going to win and Sachin will make his 100th century,” said Kadakia. There were even a few non-Indian fans making their way towards the stadium. Australian Kay Mackenzie,wearing her yellow Australia jersey,said,“Who cares?” as we pointed out the incongruity of watching the match in that outfit,“I’m here to support India,anyway.”

There were a few who stood out for wearing the darker blue of the Sri Lankan team. One fan,Rodney Braganza stood defiantly in his Lankan cap and warded off hawkers who were trying to sell him wristbands in the Indian colours. “Yes,I know I’m in a minority here,but I’m not going to shy away from supporting Sri Lanka,” said the Colombo resident. Of course,it wasn’t just the fans who were fizzing with excitement and waving happily to any camera they spotted. Peddlers of Indian flags,pins,t-shirts were doing brisk business. Face-painters,selling ‘tattoos’ of Indian flags were especially in demand,charging Rs 50 for painting the Indian flag on both cheeks. Priced at Rs 15 each,flags were the other bestsellers.

“Of course they’re selling well,” snapped Kishore,a young hawker near Churchgate,impatiently,“Everyone here is an India supporter. I’ll finally keep one flag for myself,when all the others have sold out.”