Fans in blue pour onto Guwahati streets to mark India’s T20 WC win

Guwahati: As India defeated New Zealand in an explosive final to win the T20 World Cup on Sunday, there was visible excitement among fans who had gathered to watch the match. From tea stalls to cafes to living rooms, the hype was unanimous.From bustling market areas to residential neighbourhoods, groups of supporters gathered around televisions and projectors to watch the high-voltage clash. Pan shops and tea stalls that usually host small groups of customers were packed with people cheering for the Men-in-Blue.In some parts of the city, fans dressed in the Indian team’s jersey poured onto the streets and burst crackers to celebrate India’s win on the streets.“Samson is truly living up to his potential. Ishan and Abhishek both gave New Zealand a hard time. Bumrah and Patel bowled really well, tilting the game in our favour,” said Pradip Gurung, a resident of Khanapara.At many roadside stalls, people sitting together on benches, were watching the game on small TV sets. Pan shop owners said such gatherings are uncommon, as people living in at Chatribari Bilpar road in Paltan Bazar prefer watching matches on their phones. However, this time, youngsters made arrangements to enjoy the match together.“Tomorrow is my Assamese test, but I wanted to watch the match and helped my brother set up the projector,” said Dikshita, a class five student.Even in the pubs located outside the city, there was a large crowd, where fans opted for a quieter celebration. “The crowd started arriving around 7 pm, the hype was real and the crowd really enjoyed the match. The vibe was electric,” said Ranjan Prasad, an employee of a pub.