Thousands of cricket fans poured into MG Road, Brigade Road and surrounding areas on Wednesday night, to celebrate Team India’s victory over Pakistan in Mohali.
Bangalore erupted in celebration soon after Virat Kohli caught a skier from Misbah-ul-Haq, taking India to the ICC World Cup final. Youth poured into MG Road, and broke into an impromptu dance, loudly cheering, ‘Bleed Blue, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Back to 1983’.
Firecrackers were lit, and motorists honked loudly in celebration. Initially taken aback, a group of foreigners too joined the crowd. Several women and tiny tots were also seen celebrating the victory.
Even as the revellers were shouting and singing, a Metro train rolled over the elevated tracks on a trial run, and stopped over MG Road. The crew waved to the crowd below, before the train proceeded towards Anil Kumble Circle, only to return 10 minutes later.
Vehicular traffic was thrown out of gear between Anil Kumble Circle and MG Road, and Brigade Road and parts of Cubbon Road. Police twice resorted to mild lathi-charge to clear the way for traffic, but soon gave up and allowed the crowds to take over the roads. “They rarely get an opportunity to celebrate. Let them,” said assistant commissioner of police (Cubbon Park) Devraj.
The revelry subsided as the police intervened after a drunk fan tried to beat up a policeman.
The excitement over the match was palpable from the morning. By noon, youngsters were seen hurrying to catch the action. Several motorcycles had the national flag fluttering, and many had the tricolour painted on their faces
As the match began, traffic grew thin and crowds gathered outside electronics goods showrooms to watch TV. Business was dull throughout the day.
Students preparing for exams put down their text-books and sat glued to the Virender Sehwag magic on television. Several of them preferred to move out of their homes, and decided to catch the action with friends in pubs and coffee shops in the city.
“We are having study leave now. But this match is more important,” engineering student Nagabhushan BS said, as loud cheering drowned him out near the Café Coffee Day outlet on Brigade Road.
Sehwag had sent one to the ropes, and followed it with another. “I have offered to throw a treat to my friends. I thought this is the best day,” said Suruchi Prakash, without taking her eyes off the television.
Loud cheers, hoots and claps welcomed cricket enthusiasts to pubs. Fans huddled around TV screens at Pub World on Residency Road. “It's such an important day. College can wait,” said Anil Mehta, a student.
A group of professionals, who had got their foreheads painted with the tricolour, took time off work to catch the match. “We are here with our boss,” winked Srinivasan R. At Fireflies on Lavelle Road, Prarthana Sampath and friends said the the excitement fizzled out as India lost wickets.
Colleges offered students the option of leaving after the morning session. II PU students had enough reason to smile. The final examination, History was Computer Science got over by noon, and could watch the match without a care.
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