At the halfway stage of this Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) was second from bottom on the points table, having lost five of seven matches. A spot in the play-offs looked unlikely, with fans resigned to yet another fruitless campaign. That was then.
Earlier this week, RCB became the first team to enter the final, having put together a run of seven wins in eight matches. There is now feverish anticipation in the air as the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium prepares to host the final on Sunday, with RCB awaiting the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who defeated the Gujarat Lions in Qualifier 2 on Friday.
“It couldn’t have been scripted better; play-offs in Bengaluru and final in Bengaluru,” captain Virat Kohli remarked after the win over Gujarat Lions in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday.
The stadium had hosted the IPL final in 2014 too. This year, the game was originally scheduled to be played in Mumbai but was later moved out. “It is definitely a matter of pride that we are hosting two finals in three years,” said Brijesh Patel, secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). “Our stadium is such that we can offer good hospitality. It suits the IPL.”
The turnout for RCB’s first few games this season was not great, but — like the team’s form — attendance figures have since surged (perhaps reduced ticket prices have something to do with this). Tickets for the final were sold out in a mad hurry, both online and over the counter.
“There is a lot of effort that the Royal Challengers and KSCA have put in [to generate this kind of interest],” said Mr. Patel. “RCB has worked hard to build a fan base. Whether RCB wins or loses, people are there. From KSCA’s side, we have taken care of the hospitality very well, making it a better experience for people to come to the stadium and enjoy for those three or four hours.”
Mr. Patel, a former India batsman, also felt that the nature of the ground is conducive to entertaining cricket. “The wicket has been good. It is always full of runs. And this venue has got the maximum sixes of any venue in the IPL. Plus, it definitely helps that there are big stars in the RCB team: Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, A.B. de Villiers and Shane Watson,” he said.
After Tuesday’s win, de Villiers, the man of the match, made it a point to thank the spectators. “I have to mention this crowd,” he said. “It is the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Metro is fans’ choice of transportIPL fans have adopted Namma Metro as their preferred means of transport to and from Chinnaswamy Stadium. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has responded by running trains whenever required, beyond its normal operating hours.
In fact, when 1.26 lakh people took the Purple Line on May 14, the number of commuters was the highest recorded on the metro. Officials say the number of commuters unfailingly cruises past the one lakh mark on match days.
Like on other match days, metro services will be extended beyond 10 p.m on May 29. During the last match, 6,470 people took the Purple Line between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. The corresponding number on the Green Line between Sampige Road and Nagasandra was 1,117.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation will be operating special buses from the stadium to all corners of the city. Generally, buses depart towards Kadugodi, Electronics City, Kengeri, Bannerghatta, Yelahanka, Bagalur and Hoskote.
Easy access through appThe Karnataka State Cricket Association is all set to provide fans a unique personalised app-based service that will enable easy access within the stadium.
The ‘KSCA Aware’ app, available now on Android, will lead fans to their respective stands, and then to their seats. It will even provide them a food menu to choose from.
After the match, by which time the iOS version of the app will be out, it will cater to the members of KSCA and spectators of the Karnataka Premier League.
The app has been developed by Jhenkar Dixit, CEO and founder of HexOctane, a city-based startup.
100 cops, 120 CCTV camerasOver 100 policemen, helped by 120 CCTV cameras, will keep a close watch as part of the foolproof security in and around Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
The police will be using a state-of-the-art command utility vehicle for surveillance and anti-sabotage checks. Door frame and hand-held metal detectors have been provided to the police to scan visitors before allowing them into the stadium.
Apart from this, policemen in plainclothes will be deployed inside the stadium.
Ambulance, fire and emergency service personnel, along with additional platoons of the City Armed Reserve police, have been asked to pitch in during an emergency, a senior police officer said.
Senior police officers, led by the police commissioner, will monitor the security arrangements.
