A match that lived up to all expectations
Endless chanting and seas of blue and green at the World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Adelaide
Shreya Paranjape
16-Feb-2015
Supporters of both teams were dancing on the streets of Adelaide hours before the game began • Getty Images
Choice of game:
Back in 2014 when the fixtures were released, my sister and I decided we would be heading to this massive clash in Adelaide. Within the first 15 minutes of the tickets going on sale, we grabbed ours. There was no way we were going to miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness an India-Pakistan match at the World Cup. Being an avid India fan, I was dressed in my official Team India jersey, and carried a large India flag.
Back in 2014 when the fixtures were released, my sister and I decided we would be heading to this massive clash in Adelaide. Within the first 15 minutes of the tickets going on sale, we grabbed ours. There was no way we were going to miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness an India-Pakistan match at the World Cup. Being an avid India fan, I was dressed in my official Team India jersey, and carried a large India flag.
Key peformer:
Virat Kohli was definitely the stand-out performer for this match, with his century, his superb fielding and his interaction with the crowd.
Virat Kohli was definitely the stand-out performer for this match, with his century, his superb fielding and his interaction with the crowd.
One thing I'd have changed about this match:
If I had a magic wand, I would've given Ajinkya Rahane an extra life or even moved him up the order a bit. He came in with a few balls to spare, which obviously meant he needed to hit the ball to the boundary straightaway and that just isn't how he plays his game.
If I had a magic wand, I would've given Ajinkya Rahane an extra life or even moved him up the order a bit. He came in with a few balls to spare, which obviously meant he needed to hit the ball to the boundary straightaway and that just isn't how he plays his game.
Wow moment:
There were many in this match, beginning with the first six of the innings hit by Shikhar Dhawan straight into the crowd. The highlight was Kohli and Suresh Raina's 110-run partnership that kept dealing in boundaries. It got the crowd on their feet dancing.
There were many in this match, beginning with the first six of the innings hit by Shikhar Dhawan straight into the crowd. The highlight was Kohli and Suresh Raina's 110-run partnership that kept dealing in boundaries. It got the crowd on their feet dancing.
Crowd meter:
India vs Pakistan in a World Cup. Need I say more? Not only were the stands packed but the main streets of Adelaide were buzzing with supporters chanting, blowing trumpets and dancing at least three hours before the game started. At the ground, there was a huge sea of blue, with a large green patch in the Pakistan supporters zone. We were chanting all throughout the game, either about a particular player, or the usual 'Jeetega Bhai Jeetega..India Jeetega'[India will win]. MS Dhoni got the loudest cheer when he won the toss and it was so noisy we couldn't hear whether he decided to bat or bowl first.
India vs Pakistan in a World Cup. Need I say more? Not only were the stands packed but the main streets of Adelaide were buzzing with supporters chanting, blowing trumpets and dancing at least three hours before the game started. At the ground, there was a huge sea of blue, with a large green patch in the Pakistan supporters zone. We were chanting all throughout the game, either about a particular player, or the usual 'Jeetega Bhai Jeetega..India Jeetega'[India will win]. MS Dhoni got the loudest cheer when he won the toss and it was so noisy we couldn't hear whether he decided to bat or bowl first.
Entertainment:
There was the occasional song being played between overs, but our chants were our music. The songs were largely unheard when the stadium erupted with cheering.
There was the occasional song being played between overs, but our chants were our music. The songs were largely unheard when the stadium erupted with cheering.
Accessories:
We had our essentials - flags, face-paint, sunscreen, water and food, in that order of preference.
We had our essentials - flags, face-paint, sunscreen, water and food, in that order of preference.
Marks out of 10:
This was the best game of cricket I have been to with the atmosphere, the quality of cricket and the result. A definite 10/10!
This was the best game of cricket I have been to with the atmosphere, the quality of cricket and the result. A definite 10/10!
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