Bhubaneswar: Team India’s date with West Indies in a high-stakes quarter-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday has set fans’ adrenaline pumping in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, in what many describe as a must-win clash to secure a semi-final berth.
Sports stores, cafés and neighbourhood khatis across the cities have started buzzing with discussions around team combinations, pitch conditions and the form of India’s top order. Several fan groups have planned out watch parties, while others have travelled to Kolkata after managing to secure tickets at the iconic Eden Gardens.
“It feels like the real World Cup begins now. The knockout pressure always brings the best out of India. We want to see a dominating performance,” said Ananta Das, a cricket fan from Kalinga Nagar, who is preparing to watch the match with friends on a giant screen at his housing society.
Many fans said West Indies’ explosive batting line-up remains a threat but India’s stronger bowling unit could tilt the balance. “If our bowlers strike early, the game is ours. The crowd support today will be massive, even from here in Bhubaneswar,” said Pratiksha Satapathy, a college student from Patia.
Some lucky fans will be part of the Eden Gardens’ roar. “I managed to clinch a ticket after sitting in the queue online for almost two hours. Watching a World Cup knockout at Eden is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Abhisekh Jena, who travelled from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata with two friends on Saturday.
For others, the moment is deeply emotional. Tanushree Parida, a software professional and ardent India fan, said, “The atmosphere is electrifying, it already feels like a festival. I just want India to play fearless cricket and book that semi-final spot.”
Back in the city, restaurants and cafés reported increased bookings from groups planning to watch the crucial quarter-final match together. Fan groups in several places in Saheed Nagar, Chandrasekharpur and Infocity planned to set up special screens.
“The anticipation is sky high. India can’t afford mistakes at this stage. The defeat against South Africa was disappointing but this time, we can’t afford a mistake. We just want them to play to their potential,” said Gurmeet Pal, a resident of Buxi Bazar.
Sandip Mishra is a correspondent at The Times of India and writes...
Read MoreSandip Mishra is a correspondent at The Times of India and writes on a range of subjects including real estate, RERA, civic issues, road safety, public transport and city infrastructure. His work aims to inform, engage, and inspire action—whether it is analyzing the housing trends, investigating infrastructure challenges, or highlighting environmental innovations.
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