NEW DELHI: In the early hours of Sunday, the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a sea of sleepless, flag-waving fans clad in blue India jerseys, eagerly anticipating the grand World Cup final showdown against traditional powerhouse Australia. Excitement reverberated through the city's clogged roads as fans, too enthralled to sleep, honked, shouted slogans, and bargained with hawkers in the build-up to the afternoon finale.
The 132,000-seat arena, named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the epicentre of cricket's showpiece tournament, concluding with a blockbuster clash between cricket-crazy hosts India and Australia. With attendees hailing from various corners of India and across the globe, the city is bustling, with some hotels reportedly charging rates ten times higher than usual.
In a quest to secure accommodations, reports surfaced of fans approaching local religious institutions for overnight stays in subsidised dormitories designated for devout pilgrims. Others engaged in candlelit vigils, offering prayers for the triumph of their beloved team.
Suresh Raval, a local resident outside the stadium, likened the atmosphere to a "big Hindu festival" with families and friends celebrating in the streets. Confident in India's unbeaten streak, Raval and his friend, who were fortunate to secure tickets, admitted to finding it hard to sleep.
While many fans have reportedly paid exorbitant amounts, up to 20 times the face value of the cheapest ticket, the financial strain seems insignificant if India secures victory. Vijay Kumar, a fan from Andhra Pradesh, expressed joy at the festival-like atmosphere outside the stadium, emphasising the shared hope and nervous excitement among attendees.
1/9:Day of destiny for India in World Cup final against Australia
ANI
2/9:India vs Australia: Clash of Titans
India will carry the hopes of billions of fans in the cricket crazy country and beyond when the unbeaten hosts face Australia in Sunday's World Cup final in Ahmedabad.PTI
3/9:Narendra Modi stadium: The grand venue
A showpiece match at the 130,000 capacity Narendra Modi stadium will also feature a pre-match fly-past by the Indian Air Force as well as choreographed displays featuring dozens of dancers and light shows during the innings breaks.PTI
4/9:Virat Kohli: Leading batter of the tournament
Virat Kohli goes into the game as the tournament's leading batsman with 711 runs and having set a new record of 50 ODI hundreds in a 70-run semi-final win over New Zealand in Mumbai.Reuters
5/9:India's quest for a third World Cup title
Unbeaten hosts India have won 10 games in a row on their way to the finish of the tournament as they seek a third World Cup title to follow their stunning victory over the West Indies in a 1983 final at Lord's and a 2011 home triumph sealed with victory against Sri Lanka in Mumbai.AFP
6/9:Can India handle the pressure?
India captain Rohit Sharma: "We know how it is outside the environment that we have -- the expectations, and the pressure, and the criticism, and everything. Not many have played the finals, but like I said, playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game because there's so much pressure. There's so much expectation."IANS
7/9:Australia's pursuit of a sixth title
Australia are bidding for a record-extending sixth World Cup title, with Sunday's game their eighth appearance in the final.AFP
8/9:Australia's resilience in the tournament
Australia lost their opening two matches of the tournament. But they have since won eight games in a row and, worryingly for India, had their revenge over South Africa with a tense three wicket-win in a Kolkata semi-final.AFP
9/9:Mohammed Shami: India's trump card
Mohammed Shami tops the tournament bowling charts with 23 wickets at just 9.13 apiece, despite being left out of the side for the first four games.APAs Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles prepare to witness the game, the packed stadium will host an air force flypast, a dazzling light and laser show, and hundreds of dancers performing Bollywood hits between innings.
Sahil Khanna, a fan from New Delhi, highlighted the festive ambiance, stating, "All the song and dance is good, but we are here for the game -- and happy as long as India keeps winning."
Amid the celebratory atmosphere, security forces in large numbers were deployed to ensure the safety of the 130,000 fans within the stadium and the tens of thousands more flooding the streets in the event of an Indian victory, as dreams and expectations reach fever pitch.
(With inputs from AFP)
