Fortune swings at Harare, fans reinvent their heroes

Elaborate police arrangements were made in front of Ganguly’s house to prevent any untoward incident. But local boys gathered near Ganguly’s house to celebrate the victory. ‘‘We will definitely go to the Super Six,’’ cheered one of them.

In Allahabad, Mohammed Kaif’s family has decided not to meet anyone, especially the media. ‘‘He (Kaif’s father) is not in the house,’’ claimed Aasma, Kaif’s younger sister. Fans celebrated the win on the roads as PAC personnel stood guard to the house. The walls still wore signs of Saturday’s attack.

Even as the entire Capital was watching the game on TV there was no sign of excitement anywhere in Najafgarh’s Lakshmi Garden. Viru’s entire family were away, watching the game on TV elsewhere.

The neighbours insisted they loved their gaon ka chhora even if he failed in a few innings. ‘‘We always support our boy. He’s hard-working and is doing well,’’ said Bharat Bhushan, a local shop owner.

Sachin Tendulkar’s neighbours also claimed they have always adored the batting icon, irrespective of his bad patches.

‘‘We knew India would win,’’ said Chetan, a teenager from Bandra. ‘‘And Sachin did well today.’’ A few constables posted outside the lane said they didn’t anticipate any trouble.