The night is sultry, and begging for sweet relief from a gentle breeze at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Egmore. Minutes later, the crowd jumps and screams in unison: The quintessentially Tamil, “Super da!” follows. Japan has missed a penalty and India is now in control as they lead with an impressive counter-attack. At the ongoing Hero Asian Champions Trophy that has returned to Chennai after 16 years, the crowd does not disappoint. Chennai’s love for hockey — granted the city’s relationship with the sport goes a long way — takes a first-time spectator by surprise.
The evening traffic in Egmore honks with a fresh sense of urgency, as vendors dole out India flags on the footpath leading to the stadium. Children get their faces painted with coats of the tricolour, as families gather. A post-work hockey game, especially when India is playing, is a family affair.
