City goes into raptures after India’s victory

The crowd increased at these places when the weather became cooler after the sunset. There was a marked increase in the number of people at the places were public screening was being held with the start of the Indian innings. However,there was pin drop silence as soon as Sehwag was given lbw in the very second ball with zero runs on board. There was an uneasy calm for a short while but as soon as Gambhir scored a boundary after that people were seen explaining to each other that “there is plenty of batting left in India.” The fall of Sachin’s wicket with just 31 runs on board made the mood serious again. Smiles returned when Virat Kohli (35) and Gautam Gambhir provided stability to the innings. But an uneasy calm prevailed again after Kohli’s dismissal in the 22nd over. There was large-scale jubilation as India reached the 200-mark in 37.5 overs. Thereafter,there was cheer for every run scored by India.

The electronic goods shops in Hazratganj and restaurants which had see through glasses adjusted their TV sets and LCDs at such an angle that the cricket freaks could enjoy the game from the footpaths also. A giant replica of the Cricket World Cup which is made up of flowers had been put up at Hazratganj from the eve of the match itself. Sensing an Indian victory,young children could be seen getting India inscribed in the tri-colour on their hands and faces in the Janpath market.

The Chowk area of the city was also well-prepared for the occasion. There was decoration on the streets. People watched the match with keen dedication of projector screens. JS Kaul,a member of the Oudh Gymkhana Club,said that he opted to see the match at the club because seeing the match on a projector screen with your friends is a completely different experience altogether. “Around 400 of us are here and we are really enjoying the match.”

With the ‘ban-like’ situation on public screening of the match that had been there on Wednesday (as the district administration did not permit it during the India vs Pakistan semi-final) not prevailing today,people turned at places where public screening was being done on the big screen. Management of a PVR Phoenix multiplex where the screening of the final took place informed people seemed very excited about the match and had come to see the match with tattoos supporting Team India made on their hands and were in a festive mood. However,tickets were still being sold even when the match was half-way which was an indication that the excitement was not at the same level as it was during India vs Pak semi-final. The prices for the tickets for the final match were kept at Rs 350 for the ‘normal class’,Rs 500 for the ‘prime’ and Rs 750 for the ‘gold class’. “The rates are higher than the normal rates firstly,because a match is an eight-hour affair and secondly,because it is a weekend,” explained one of the duty managers.

At Sports College,Lucknow,the alma mater of all-rounder Suresh Raina,the trainees rushed to the lounge near the hostel soon after giving their board exams to watch the match proceeding on a 50 inch screen. Raina’s coach Deepak Sharma could be seen giving tips to his young lot of trainees every time Raina saved a run. There was bursting of fire-crackers and dancing for quite a few hours after India won the match.

Jubilation at Raina’s house

As expected,there was an atmosphere of jubilation at Suresh Raina’s house in Ghaziabad. Talking to The Indian Express,Raina’s elder brother Dinesh Raina informed that thousands of fans had gathered in front of their home. “We have been getting phone calls constantly from our well wishers. Sweets are being distributed and people are dancing. We are all very very happy,” he said.

CM congratulates team

UP Chief Minister Mayawati has congratulated Team India for winning the World Cup trophy. In a statement,the Chief Minister has said this victory has done India proud. She has said that all the members of the Indian team played a major role in this triumph. She said that the credit for this victory goes to the continuous commendable performance by the Indian cricket players,to their hard work and their high morale.