City parties late into the night

As Misbah-ul-Haq swung his bat, flinging the ball miles up in the air before it landed in Virat Kohli’s hands at long-on at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday night, cricket lovers in India’s IT hub went ecstatic, bursting into an overexcited roar.

Their facial expressions were unmistakable: this was one of the most joyous occasions of their lives. Soon, fans took their shirts off and began waving them at passersby. In an unprecedented exhibition of celebration, greetings were exchanged, hands shaken, and hugs swapped. The sky over M G Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, Church Street, St Mark’s Road - sported only one colour - that of the tricolour.

“I have never seen a wilder celebration, it’s incredible. It’s one of the most memorable and spectacular nights I have ever seen,” a reveller said.

The skies hummed with beating of drums and bursting of firecrackers. At the Cauvery Emporium Junction, people danced shirtless and greeted each other with warm hand shakes and cordial hugs.

A number of people took out bike rallies and waved the tricolour. Many motorists halted at the spots of celebration and joined the revellers.

The City’s eastern and southern neighbourhoods buzzed with excitement as people distributed sweets and welcomed the country’s brand new sporting accomplishment. It was a Bangalore at its partying best.