Fan frenzy similar to the one witnessed when India had defeated Pakistan in the World Cup semifinal here way back in 2011 broke out at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Sunday after the home team defeated Australia to enter the semifinal of the ongoing ICC World T20 championship.
Raising pro-India and pro-Virat Kohli slogans, the jubilant fans waved tricolour and burst into celebrations after India won on Sunday night.
“I had come here to watch India win. It was a big match for us. The scenes here reminded me of the mood which prevailed among fans way back in World Cup 2011 when we defeated Pakistan by 29 runs. I had watched that match too,” said Gaurav Marwah, a local entrepreneur, who had come to watch the match here.
It was a full house at the IS Bindra stadium in Mohali as India played Australia in the crucial group match, with many politicians and even top cricket Board officials turning up to watch the game.
According to Punjab Cricket Association’s spokesperson, Sushil Kapoor, Punjab Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Haryanas Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu, senior BCCI functionaries including Anurag Thakur and Rajiv Shukla, besides selectors Vikram Rathore, watched the match in the stadium.
“I have come from Delhi to cheer my team. After watching the match, I will be returning during the night to be back in office tomorrow morning,” Rajiv Kapoor, a MNC executive from the national capital, said.
Even die-hard Pakistan cricket fan Mohd Bashir, who had been watching the games featuring Pakistan team here earlier, was also excited to be part of the game.
“Dhoni is my favourite cricketer,” he remarked before the match.
Capt Amarinder hails team India win
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh congratulated the Indian cricket team for its spectacular win over Australia in the World T20 cricket match here.
In his congratulatory message to the Indian cricket team he said, “You have done proud to one billion Indians who were waiting to see you score the victory shot.”
Capt Amarinder had special word of appreciation for Virat Kotli.
“You held firm and steadfast resisting and overcoming all the pressures at a highly tense moment in a tense situation and whole of India salutes you for that,” he said, in a special message to Virat Kohli.
India sealed their place in the semifinal with the victory in the do-or-die battle.
