Cricket fans hope India’s first Super 8 game no-show a minor blip

Kolkata: The stage was set for a replay of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. The battle lines were drawn and Team India had seemed unstoppable. But it turned out to be a rare off day for the Men in Blue, a blip in their march to victory as South Africa turned the tables on the defending champions in Ahmedabad. India lost their first Super 8 match to the Proteas.It was another Sunday blockbuster and Kolkata came to a standstill yet again as eager fans gathered at homes, malls, restaurants, bars and clubs, cheering for Team India and hoping for another win that would take the co-hosts a step closer to the Cup. It ended in disappointment, though.
"The contest was a mouth-watering one and what better way to enjoy the match than in the company of friends over food and beverages. We gathered at a friend's place and it was a party. It was tense, though, and India should have won it. The loss was not the perfect end to an otherwise great evening," said cricket fan Souvik Basu.City entrepreneur Mahesh Punjabi was eager to watch a replay of the last T20 World Cup. "The final was perhaps played earlier this time. Abhishek was due for a biggie and Varun has been a thorn in the side for South Africa. We won the last T20 series against them. As an Indian fan, I always fear the law of averages and I would take India losing this game and winning everything hereafter. Mind you, I've been proven wrong with India losing nothing at the last T20 WC. But if they have to lose one game in this tournament, this was the only one I think it should have been. So, I don't mind losing this one for it will spur the Men in Blue to outplay opponents in the matches to come," said Punjabi, member of a group called ‘12th Man' that roams the world watching India play.Restaurants with TVs remained fully occupied during the match as visitors enjoyed special offers on food and drinks. Rilina Mandal watched the match with friends at Chapter 2 in Southern Avenue. "We cheered for India and screamed as our batters hit a six or four. It was like being on the ground. I was eagerly waiting for Abhishek Sharma to return to form. He didn't disappoint after three ducks and showed why he's the top T20 batter. Sadly it was not enough in the end," Mandal said.Cocktails at Chapter 2 have been christened Sixer, Square Cut, Hitwicket and Googly. It is also offering free starters with beer and has a 2:1 offer on select brands of liquor during the match.The stop-start Indian innings swung fans between hope and despair. "This was again a difficult track to bat on, like the Colombo pitch in the Pakistan match," said Ujjal Kumar Bose, a Calcutta Rowing Club member.At South City mall, scores had gathered to catch the game on the big screen. As Bumrah castled de Kock and had Rickleton caught in successive overs, a roar went through the crowded mall. But the cheer was shortlived as Brevis and Miller built a partnership. "I love watching India matches here since you can share the joy with other fans. I watched the Pakistan match last Sunday here," said Abhirup Das, a student. Songhai in central Kolkata, too, remained choc-a-bloc with cricket fans cheering every four and six. A six by an Indian batter got patrons a free drink. "We had a full house throughout the evening," said owner Sudesh Poddar.The scene was similar at Café Mezzuna in South City mall where every boundary and six struck by Indian batters earned fans a drink.