Back home, hope in gloom

In Chennai, after the game was over supporters returned home with the grouse that their heroes did not rise in their game to the expected levels. The elite crowd shifted their action to the clubs and hotels and ‘drowned in sorrow with spirit,’ hoping for a better performance in the next World Cup.

Former BCCI president AC Muthiah lauded the efforts of the young Indian cricket team for reaching the Cup final, but said it ‘‘lacked strategy’’ in the title clash against Australia. He said that on all counts, coming to the title clash, with more youngsters than experienced ones, was a tremendous achievement under present competitive conditions.

And former cricketer WV Raman said that people should not be disheartened at India’s loss in the final. ‘‘People should not be disheartened about our loss as we have lost to a better side in the world, especially after our performance in New Zealand in early January, after which many even wrote us off,’’ Raman opined.

And in Kolkata, after a stunning anti-climax, the drums fell silent. Crackers did not burst. The much expected second ‘Holi’ in six days never happened. ‘‘The way they batted, no team in the world could have bettered them. They played like true champions,’’ said Suman Mitra, a resident of Indian skipper’s locality at Behala.

But as the heavens opened up in South Africa, hope returned to Kolkata. Maa mangalchandi (Ganguly’s household deity) will bail him out. If there is a replay tomorrow, India will certainly win,’’ said Kumar Sen, sitting before the giant screen at Jadavpore. But it was not to be as the match resumed within 23 minutes, and once Virender Sehwag departed, the crowd started melting away and only the most die hard fans sat through.

Community dinners organised at various clubs of the city, where large number of people collected before television sets hoping to see local boy Ganguly lift the Cup, tasted bitter after the defeat. Former national selector and current coach of the Bengal cricket team Sambaran Banerjee today said India lost to a better team. ‘‘It was a bad day for India. They didn’t do well. However, India’s performance in the Cup has been highly creditable. Saurav Ganguly and his boys played their heart out, though in the end they finished second best to the Aussies,’’ Banerjee said. Another former Bengal cricketer Raju Mukherjee said Australia were the best side in the world and ‘deservedly’ won the Cup. ‘‘I think the Indians played beyond themselves to reach thus far. Their performance is commendable,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the streets of Kydgunj, the area where young turk Mohammed Kaif lives, wore a deserted look as India went down to Australia.

Kaif’s residence remained locked, his family members having gone out, as India’s Cup dreams were being shattered in Johannesburg.

Kaif’s parents were not at home even when their son had produced his most famous knock till date, the match-winning innings in the Natwest Trophy final in England last year, choosing to go out for a movie after India were struggling at one stage.