City fans celebrate win, recall old rivalry spark

Guwahati: The cricket fans in the city celebrated India’s victory over England as the night of triumph, but with a sigh of relief. Team India scripted a memorable victory on Thursday, defeating the two-time champions. The win sparked joy among fans in the city, even if the celebrations were felt a bit muted, reports Tathagata Bhattacharjee.Though several fans said they enjoyed the performance, some felt the atmosphere wasn’t as electrifying as earlier encounters.Shyamal Goswami, a resident of Lal Ganesh, said, “Whenever India used to face Pakistan, the excitement remained unmatched. People planned gatherings days in advance. This time, although India is in the final facing New Zealand, the same energy is not visible.” “People watch matches between India and Pakistan largely because of the long-standing political tensions between the two countries. These tensions give the games an added emotional and symbolic significance,” he added.Many pointed out that cricket’s growing calendar has also changed how fans experience the sport.