Cricket fever spills on to roads around Chinnaswamy Stadium

MG Road, Queen’s Road and Cubbon Road came alive on Wednesday as the T20 match between India and England began. Loud cheers echoed outside the stadium each time an Indian player hit a boundary.

Ryan Fischer, a New Zealand national from Auckland was eagerly waiting at Gate 14 for the ticket rate to come down as the match had already started. “I will buy that ticket for Rs 3,000 now,” Ryan told a tout who was demanding Rs 5,000 for it a little while ago. Ryan had a twinkle in his eye when the tout handed him the ticket for Rs 3,000. “That's my boy and India will win today,” he said and ran inside the stadium.

Cricket fans were ready to shell out Rs 6,000 to 7,000 for each ticket that was sold by touts an hour before the match started at 7.30 pm.

Several people who shelled out thousands for tickets, were fooled as they realised their tickets were fake. They feared approaching the police.

Kabotri Devi (65) was no less excited. She was seen rushing towards the stadium as late as 8 pm with her granddaughter.

“This is the first match I am watching live and I am excited. I am here in Bengaluru for holidays and I like all players equally,” she said.

Metro trains from Mysuru Road and from Baiyapannahalli were entering Cubbon Park station jam packed bringing in spectators to the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Face-painters and jersey sellers had a field day from 4 pm.
“Indian kids in my locality play cricket. In America, people do not understand cricket. I have my Indian jersey and was cheering for them. I have a flight back to America at 2 am but did not want to miss the match,” Stu, a cricket fan from the US said.

A disappointed fan, Ram, said his efforts to buy tickets online failed as they were heavily priced. “I could not buy them online as it was priced at Rs 5,000. I hope to get tickets now,” he added.

Raina’s 6 hurts boy

Six-year-old Satish sustained minor injuries while watching the match as a six hit by Indian cricketer Suresh Raina hit his leg. The child was treated as an outpatient at Hosmat Hospital. Dr Thomas Chandy, chief of orthopaedics said, “He was accompanied by his father. Despite the injury, he wanted to go back. Thankfully, his thigh bone has not broken.”