Expectations and emotions ran high at the start, as defending champion India met a formidable Australia in the semi-finals of the World Cup Cricket on Thursday in Sydney. But, it soon fizzled out as the day came to an end, with the defending champion crashing to defeat.
The day began with cricket fever gripping most of the people in the city as was evident in the thin traffic on the main thoroughfares and minimal attendance reported in offices.
Education institutions such as Krishna Group of Institutions, Kumaraguru College of Technology and corporate houses besides software firms such as Payoda had installed big screens for its students and employees, respectively, to watch the semi-final match. Many chose to spend the day at home in front of the television.
Shopkeepers _ right from roadside tea sellers to mobile phone dealers _ were glued to the television, radios and mobile phones along with their customers, following the match with bated breath.
Establishments like saloons, ice cream parlours, liquor bars, eateries aired the match on their television screens. Some offices had allowed workers to take leave of absence and some had even given a day’s off to the employees. Electronics appliances showrooms had generously switched on a number of their televisions meant for demonstration for the passers-by to stop and have a glimpse of the match where the Men in Blue were battling it out with the Aussies.
Even the tone of messages on social networking sites started fading from confidence to despair and disappointment as the day progressed.
When defeat stared India in the face by the post-lunch session, cricket enthusiasts were quickly redrawing their Sunday plans in front of the TV. For, they had expected a matchup between the Kiwis and the Men in Blue. And it was not to be.
