Last time I saw a cricket match it was in the “Eden Gardens” and trust me that is an experience. What a stadium and the how many people can it hold together in its stands. The noise level inside that cauldron would be heard to be believed. So that being my only experience with watching a live cricket match, I was hoping that atleast the result would be reversed. Last time, the Aussies defeated us in that day-nighter in Calcutta.
Kinrara Oval is in the outskirts of Puchong, a distant second cousin when it comes to the other stadiums (read football). I am sure even the baddy courts in Malaysia would be more popular than this cricket stadium. As you near the stadium, you feel as if you are in some Indian city, all you can see are Indains, be it Expat Indians or Malaysian Indians or the real Indians who have come from India just for this match/series. As you stand in the queue about to enter the stadium, you understand what people are talking. Ok even if I don’t understand Gulti, I feel very warm and friendly. From outside itself you can make out how big the stadium is. The view from outside is as good as the view I got in Eden Gardens after paying Rs.1200 that night. Here after paying 122 ringgits it was a much closer view.
It was practically as big as any college ground in
India. You were in the same level as the playing field. A good view of the proceedings and the boundary fielder was very close to the gallery. There were some 7-8 rows of temporary uncovered seating. The capacity would not be more than 2000. The fans were quite vociferous. There was the sardarji with his dholak doing the rounds 2-3 times in the 50 over period. Everytime he passed us we got down to dance with the crowd. There was the usual procession of flags and the frequent shouting of “Jeetega bhai jeetega”
and “ganapathi bappa moriya”!!!
Sreesanth came to give drinks to Bhajji. I tried my max to shout in Mallu to him…no chance, he was very reluctant to say or wave at us. Pathan was very shy, you can make out from the way he waves at the crowd. Bhajji did an occasional bhangda for the crowd.
There was beer and coke available. Tiger beer was selling at a premium but consumption was in litres. I have to tell you, the Aussies drink beer like water. The queue was pretty long and slow, consumed lots of overs.
They were pinned down by the security when they got caught
And when it rained, crowds got back to their cars and emptied the seats...
And then when the match was declared as a draw, it was a relief but it left an incomplete feeling...Whatever, good for India!!!
They were pinned down by the security when they got caught
And when it rained, crowds got back to their cars and emptied the seats...
And then when the match was declared as a draw, it was a relief but it left an incomplete feeling...Whatever, good for India!!!
