RAVI SINGARAM
Throngs of Indian supporters crowded bars, clubs and restaurants across Singapore to watch and enjoy the high-octane India versus New Zealand cricket World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Among them were a few Kiwis and neutral fans as well.
The Boat Quay area saw several of them queue up to find places to watch the engrossing encounter, which began at 4.30pm.
Many office-goers had already booked places, and rushed to the venues after 6pm to catch the action.
There were women fans such as Jayalakshmi Srinivasan and Jyoti Ahuja who said “cricket is in our genes and we never miss an India match”.
Crowds spilled over onto the streets along Circular Road as India’s batters made a bright start, with captain Rohit Sharma hitting a quick-fire 47, Shubman Gill 80 not out, Virat Kohli 117 and Shreyas Iyer 105 in their 397 for 4 in 50 overs.
The Indian fans at The Mask, Foodcoholic and Harry’s went crazy when Rohit hit a flurry of sixes.
Then, as Kohli and Shreyas notched up thrilling centuries, the crowds became raucous with cheers and applause.
All were on their feet, chanting “Kohli! Kohli!”, dancing and rhythmically banging tables, when the Indian cricket icon scored his 50th one-day international hundred to break compatriot Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Local league player Jayesh Salgaonkar, who took a half-day’s leave from work and was at Harry’s Boat Quay, was elated after Kohli’s achievement.
“Each and every shot of his was thoroughly enjoyed,” he said.
The Indian fans’ confidence that their teams would win grew when New Zealand lost their first two wickets cheaply.
But they fell into despondency when New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and batter Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings and began to smash boundaries and sixes.
This spurred on the four New Zealand diehards at The Mask who began to shout “Kiwi! Kiwi!”.
The Indian crowds also became distraught when Mohammad Shami dropped Williamson at a crucial juncture.
But their worries turned into joy when Shami then scythed through the New Zealand batting line-up to give India a 70-run win.
“We were here to enjoy the match and be with India while being far away from home,” said Mr Ramakrishnan, who moved to Singapore two months ago. “We are elated that India broke so many records today. I think India are in their best form and will win the World Cup.”
India will take on either Australia or South Africa, who were playing in the second semi-final at press time yesterday, in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad.
“The kind of maturity that the Indian team displayed in the semi-final is very appreciable,” said Mr Kiran Kumar Bontha, 38, at Harry’s. “They were very clear about their approach and had good energy.
“Whether we face Australia or South Africa, we will win the World Cup.”
Another India fan Puneet Singh said: “We have never seen such domination from an Indian side in all these years. We want Australia in the final so that we can beat them and avenge their years of domination.”
With India in the final, restaurants and bars here can expect bigger crowds on Sunday.
“We have got to come back to Harry’s for the final and will want the same seats as they brought India luck against New Zealand,” said Nikhil Gujral.
Ms Manisha Kishore, managing director of Awadh restaurant at Centrepoint, said: “We have already received 60 lunch reservations for the finals, and we expect the fans to stay till the end of the match.”
The eatery has been screening the World Cup matches on an 80-inch TV with studio surround system.
