Mumbai's crowds vanish from streets to cheer Team India
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Mumbai's crowded thoroughfares shed their vast multitudes as cricket fever gripped the city with passionate fans packing themselves into restobars, pubs and multiplexes to watch the titanic tussle for cricket's most coveted trophy.
As afternoon approached, the weekend crowds started vanishing from bustling streets and marketplaces, city’s lifeline – suburban local trains – stopped gobbling up and disgorging faceless streams of commuters, as everybody – from a humble roadside hawker to corporate honcho headed to watch the captivating contest.
Cricket lovers who were not lucky enough to secure a place at the Wankhede Stadium, made frenzied attempts to book the remaining seats in multiplexes and restaurants to watch the India-Sri Lanka grand finale, or chose to enjoy the game in the cozy confines of their homes over house parties.
"We will chill out and cheer team India. If they win, we will raise a toast, and if they lose, we will drown our disappointment in the bubbly," said Ratish, raising his mug of beer at a suburban restobar.
According to sources in the hospitality sector, Mumbaikars guzzled over 70,000 litres of aclohol during the Wednesday's semi-final clash between India and Pakistan.
Sources said most of the 7000 restaurants and bars in the city have been reserved already and owners made a last minute rush to replenish their stocks.
A number of crazy fans were seen blowing vuvuzelas, popularised during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, while getting painted the Indian tricolour on their faces and bodies near Churchgate station. The team India and bleed blue jerseys were much sought after stuff.
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