Hyderabad, Sept. 24: The city held its collective breath when Pakistani dangerman Misbah-ul-Haq ‘dinked’ Joginder Sharma over wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with just six runs to make from three balls. The moment Sreesanth caught him out, the Boys in Blue got a new title: Dhoni’s Dragons.
Indian players shared their ‘Chak de’ moment with Shah Rukh Khan, who had flown in just to watch the match.
Governor N.D. Tiwari and Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy sent congratulatory messages to the team while TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced cash awards for some players.
The city erupted in joy. Beer spilled out of mugs, youth took to their mobikes, fireworks lit up the sky and thousand-wala ladis added to the cacophony and, yes, “Ganesh Maharaj ki Jai” rent the air.
At many pandals, organisers had arranged for television sets even as they supervised the arrangements for the immersion. They cherished the victory by smearing of gulal on one another. Those stuck in traffic jams or held back just a while longer by their bosses cursed and celebrated at the same time. Techies reporting to night duty pleaded a sudden bout of eye infection but were hauled up nevertheless. Some of those stuck in offices caught the match on the internet. That live updates were provided on the FM radio stations also helped. Those travelling in the APSRTC buses too made good of the radio updates.
With a holiday on the morrow for Ganesh nimmajanam, the city and its drinking holes settled down to a long night of celebration. SMSs flew thick and fast, not all of them politically correct: “Pakistan ko sharafat seekha denge, Hindustan ki takat dekha denge. Agar panga lenge toh Twenty20 main kya, Pakistan main bhi tiranga lehradenge,” went one.
“Kargil main kya, Karachi main kya, duniya main kahi bhi haara denge. Mera Bharat mahan, Jai Hind,” said another. The more polite one said, “12 countries, 14 days of pure cricket, 26 exciting matches, two rivals in final and 1 winner and that is India. Chakde India,” said it all. “The credit goes to Dhoni. His spirited message to the players asking them to enjoy the movement without thinking about the result did wonders for the team,” said M. Srinivasa Rao, an employee of State Bank of India. Everywhere in the city from Kukatpally in one end to the old city in the other, people came out on the streets and greeted one another.
“We offered special prayers in the masjid for India. It is a memorable occasion that will remain in our minds forever,” said P.M. Irfanullah from Charminar. The main thoroughfares of the city wore a deserted look from the evening itself as people glued to their television sets. Traffic volumes came down heavily on arterial roads in the city. The establishment too was overawed with the victory.
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