Friday, April 18, 2008

18th April 6:30 pm:)

Being a Cricket fan right from my childhood,i was quite excited about getting the tickets to watch the IPL Inauguration,the match between Royal Challengers and Knight Riders.
Got up early,got ready,wore my fav tops,luckily that turned out to be black;the colour of Knight Riders,my fav jeans and the new socks i had bought the previous weekend with my fav floaters.
Was little tensed whether we will reach the place on time,as i had to attend a client meeting;Nokia.
Travelled all the way to Outer Ring Road,finished the meeting like fast fire and was in office by 5pm.
My TL's husband came and picked both of us sharp at 5:15pm.
Till the MG road entrance,there was no traffic we managed to reach the place by 5:50pm,vinay(my TL's Hubby) dropped us infront of gate 11,stood in the long 'Q' observing what kind of crowd is entering along with us;we had to spend the next three hours wit them you see.
By 6:10 pm we comforted ourselves in the best seats and view making sure there is decent crowd around us.
Was very hungry,and thus bought 'maddur vada' paying 25Rs each,was happy that it tasted good.
There was quite a festive mood all around us.Witnessed the Religious spirit,craziness,passion or what ever one can call,of the crowd specially Indians towards Cricket and the players.
Wondered how the International Game of Cricket has taken its shape way back from 70s 80,a Gentleman's game,where people used to play for days together witha relaxing mind and body.The memories of my Grandpa;a Great Player and Cricket enthusiast's description about his long trips to Bangalore and the Test Matches he saw(some along with my Dad) are still fresh in my mind:)
The fog that was created using the machines,stilt walkers dressed up like butterflies,bubble dancers,laser light dance,acrobatics using ropes and long cloth piece were all awesome and were definitely reminding us that India is getting ready for Big in every possible way.Crowd was thrilled by the beautiful crackers,lights and the opening number sung by Alma.
The match was very thrilling...,specially shots of Macullum and Ganguly.Dravid's wicket taken by Ishant was splendid.
Finally returned home @ 12 carrying all the memories and trying to keep them fresh.
Next day it was written in the Newspaper that.., it's a One Man Show-Macullum's...;definitely not...lot of man power involved right from cleaning the stadium,maintaining it,controlling the crowd,protecting the players(celebrities...).....Hats off to all of them!!! :)

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