The Eden dance floor
Ganguly explodes, a cheerleader falls, and there's Bengali music to jive to. A pity Tendulkar didn't show up
Saugata Sen
20-Apr-2010
Is that Dhoni? Is that an axeman? No wait, it's Saurabh Tiwary • Indian Premier League
The game
I wanted to watch an IPL match at the stadium and see how the atmosphere was like at my favourite ground, the Eden Gardens.
I wanted to watch an IPL match at the stadium and see how the atmosphere was like at my favourite ground, the Eden Gardens.
Team supported
Since I am from Kolkata, I supported the home team.
Since I am from Kolkata, I supported the home team.
Key performer
Sourav Ganguly. He took a stunning catch to dismiss Stuart Binny and then applied himself really well on what seemed to be a slightly tricky wicket.
Sourav Ganguly. He took a stunning catch to dismiss Stuart Binny and then applied himself really well on what seemed to be a slightly tricky wicket.
One thing I'd have changed
I would have loved it if this had been a do-or-die match for both teams rather than the dead rubber it was. I also wanted to see Sachin Tendulkar play but he skipped the game.
I would have loved it if this had been a do-or-die match for both teams rather than the dead rubber it was. I also wanted to see Sachin Tendulkar play but he skipped the game.
Face-off I relished
JP Duminy v Jaidev Unadkat, an Under-19 left-arm medium-pacer for Kolkata. Duminy, who is so good against pace, had his stumps disarranged by a quicker one from the rookie.
JP Duminy v Jaidev Unadkat, an Under-19 left-arm medium-pacer for Kolkata. Duminy, who is so good against pace, had his stumps disarranged by a quicker one from the rookie.
Wow moment
One of the Kolkata cheerleaders in front of us lost her footing and fell off the dais. It seemed funny at the moment but then we felt concerned about her. When she got back on her feet, we gave her a huge cheer. Talk about cheering the cheerleaders!
One of the Kolkata cheerleaders in front of us lost her footing and fell off the dais. It seemed funny at the moment but then we felt concerned about her. When she got back on her feet, we gave her a huge cheer. Talk about cheering the cheerleaders!
Player watch
Young Saurabh Tiwary was fielding in front of us and a section of the ground kept shouting, "Dhoni, Dhoni" (because of his long hair, like Dhoni had previously) till someone said it was because of Dhoni and his heroics against Kings XI Punjab that Kolkata were out of the semis. After that the chants changed to: "Saurabh… Saurabh".
Young Saurabh Tiwary was fielding in front of us and a section of the ground kept shouting, "Dhoni, Dhoni" (because of his long hair, like Dhoni had previously) till someone said it was because of Dhoni and his heroics against Kings XI Punjab that Kolkata were out of the semis. After that the chants changed to: "Saurabh… Saurabh".
Shot of the day
Ganguly's pulled six to midwicket in the third ball of the innings bowled by Ali Murtaza triggered a wild celebration from the crowd. It was so loud it drowned out the DJ's music.
Ganguly's pulled six to midwicket in the third ball of the innings bowled by Ali Murtaza triggered a wild celebration from the crowd. It was so loud it drowned out the DJ's music.
Crowd meter
Since Kolkata had no chance of making it to the semis, the spectators chose to enjoy both sides' play. Every Mumbai wicket was cheered, as were their boundaries. And when Kolkata batted, it was party time. The DJ mixed peppy dance music with the bugle in between balls and overs and the stadium resembled a huge dance floor.
Since Kolkata had no chance of making it to the semis, the spectators chose to enjoy both sides' play. Every Mumbai wicket was cheered, as were their boundaries. And when Kolkata batted, it was party time. The DJ mixed peppy dance music with the bugle in between balls and overs and the stadium resembled a huge dance floor.
Accessories
I took a lot of videos and photos to preserve the memories of this wonderful evening.
I took a lot of videos and photos to preserve the memories of this wonderful evening.
Entertainment
There were some Bengali favourites on the PA that were met with huge cheers.
There were some Bengali favourites on the PA that were met with huge cheers.
Twenty20s or ODIs?
ODIs are still my preferred format because of the quality of cricket offered but if you're looking for pure entertainment, it's got to be Twenty20.
ODIs are still my preferred format because of the quality of cricket offered but if you're looking for pure entertainment, it's got to be Twenty20.
Star-spotting
When Shahrukh Khan was shown on the big screen towards the end of the match, the crowd went delirious.
When Shahrukh Khan was shown on the big screen towards the end of the match, the crowd went delirious.
Banner of the day
"Still promises to keep and still miles to go before we sleep".
"Still promises to keep and still miles to go before we sleep".
Marks out of 10
6, because it was a dead match and I didn't get to see Tendulkar. While the cricket was not exceptional, the entertainment was.
6, because it was a dead match and I didn't get to see Tendulkar. While the cricket was not exceptional, the entertainment was.
Want to do a Fan Following report? Read our FAQ here
 |