T 20 fever

The IPL frenzy these days reminds me of the day that I think is largely responsible for T 20 being such a craze in India. It’s the day the Indian cricket team, against all expectations and with a bit of luck won the inaugural T 20 world cup. I was in Bombay that time and had the privilege of seeing a spectacle of a lifetime.

I went for my usual walk to Marine Drive after the match without knowing what was in store for me. There were people all over. The place was flooded with from people all walks and age groups. From uncle aunties to small kids all had come down to the streets to celebrate the Indian victory. Cars and bikes just kept pouring in. I hadn’t seen so many people with so many Indian flags ever, not even on Independence Day. Almost every car and bike had a flag. People were on top of car roofs, standing on bikes, standing on top of each other to wave the Indian flag. They were dancing, shouting, jeering Pakistan, cheering India, slogan shouting, you name it and they were doing it. Cars were parked with the boots open and “Chak De” India was blowing from every speaker. The National Anthem was sung so many times in those couple of hours. Diwali had just arrived a little early in Bombay, all thanks to some guys in South Africa. The fireworks added some light to the celebrations. The atmosphere was simply electric. There was so much energy around and the celebration just kept on going on and people kept on pouring in. Finally rain played the party pooper and people began to return to their houses though for some even that was not consideration enough.

A truly amazing experience.