<p>The tension in the air was palpable and the drama was at its height. When India played Australia on Thursday, there was clearly no dull moment. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The streets wore an empty look in the morning. People huddled in front of television, fingers crossed, chanting and hoping for the Indian cricket team’s victory. <br /><br />Lounges, offices, tea shops and electronic stores were turned into make-shift campsites for die-hard cricket fans who took the day off or forgot about work. <br /><br />The match glued the country together. Starting from Wednesday, Twitter was flooded with posts like – “Dear sir, My country needs me tomorrow. I want to apply for the leave which I call as the patriotism leave. It’s India vs Australia in the World-Cup semi final. My nation needs me. Kindly grant me leave”. (sic)<br /><br />But by afternoon, the tweets turned more morose – “Dear sir, My uncle who died in the morning just woke up. I am reaching office in 30 minutes!” – as Australia gained a neck-tight hold over India and later won the game. <br /><br />While the day ended with disappointment and many broken hearts, it was back <br />to business for many Bengalureans.</p>
<p>The tension in the air was palpable and the drama was at its height. When India played Australia on Thursday, there was clearly no dull moment. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The streets wore an empty look in the morning. People huddled in front of television, fingers crossed, chanting and hoping for the Indian cricket team’s victory. <br /><br />Lounges, offices, tea shops and electronic stores were turned into make-shift campsites for die-hard cricket fans who took the day off or forgot about work. <br /><br />The match glued the country together. Starting from Wednesday, Twitter was flooded with posts like – “Dear sir, My country needs me tomorrow. I want to apply for the leave which I call as the patriotism leave. It’s India vs Australia in the World-Cup semi final. My nation needs me. Kindly grant me leave”. (sic)<br /><br />But by afternoon, the tweets turned more morose – “Dear sir, My uncle who died in the morning just woke up. I am reaching office in 30 minutes!” – as Australia gained a neck-tight hold over India and later won the game. <br /><br />While the day ended with disappointment and many broken hearts, it was back <br />to business for many Bengalureans.</p>
