Cricket fever grips Indore ahead of India vs SA match

Like the rest of the nation, Indore also celebrates cricket as a religion with equal fervour. The city has donned an enthusiastic aura ever since it was selected as the venue for the second India vs South Africa ODI and the cricket crazy Indoris are busy with plans to watch the live match, do some jugaad for free passes and even meet their favourite cricketers. That's not all! The cricket fever has reached a crescendo with city shops and hotels dishing out cricket-themed items as well. Howzzat? Mad rush for passes The frenzy with which the match passes were booked has led us to believe that there'll be mad rush to enter the Holkar stadium today as the venue will host an international match after a gap of four years. Mukesh Meena, a businessman, said, "Last time when there was a cricket match in Indore, I couldn't get tickets and had to see it on the TV. That match saw some Indian players making brilliant records made. I don't want to face a similar situation this time and that's why I powered up my laptop and smartphone two hours before the tickets started selling online. I even asked my friend to be ready to book tickets. The rush for the match tickets is more than that of the tatkal railway booking." Discounted tickets? Get ready for long queuesThe biggest challenge for a student when it comes to buying match passes is money. Hence, it was decided by MPCA that students can get discounted tickets from selected distribution centres on showing their ID cards. And Indori students aren't minding the long wait in the queue because ultimately, they'll get to watch the match, live. Sumeet Patel, an engineering student, said, "When we got the news that there are some discounted tickets for sale, we dropped the idea of splurging on the onine booking. Our entire group, including the girls, visited different centres to ensure that we got the tickets. We even planned to reach before time to be the first ones in the queue."Being selfie-readyThe real fun in supporting the Indian team is by sporting the Indian team colours or your favourite player's jersey. And if you get a temporary Indian flag tattoo, then it's the cherry on the top. Sulekha Sharma, a management student, said, "Unlike other girls, I am an ardent cricket follower and when there is a match in the city, I don't leave the chance to enjoy it to the fullest. Not only am I going to watch this match live but will also be sporting a jersey similar to Virat Kohli's as he is my favourite player. The Indian flag and a temporary tattoo will add colours to me Facebook selfies." Prakash Bhati, who owns a sports shop in the city, added, "After the match was announced, we started getting a lot of enquiries about team jerseys and flags. Hence we ordered a large number of both the items. It's not just those who are going to the stadium but even people watching the match on TV have purchased the flags and jerseys to show support to Team India and we have almost sold out the stock." Jugaad to meet the stars When it comes to 'setting' a meeting with the stars, Indoreans have special jugaad techniques to get what they want. Rishabh Makhija, an engineering student, said, "I love entire Indian cricket team and I am trying my best to meet them. One of my relatives has close relations with BCCI and MPCA people. I have been visiting his house daily for the past week so that he can arrange a meeting with the team. I just want to meet the players, get photographs and autographs too." Rashmi Pahwa (name changed on request), a homemaker, added, "My brother is at a reputed position in a government department and every time there is a cricket match in Indore, he gets complimentary VVIP tickets for his entire family. Since his children are out of India this time, I am expecting that he will give those tickets to me and my family." Celebrations at RajwadaHolkar stadium is lucky for Team India as they have never lost any match here and have also made some memorable records. Indoreans are expecting that team India will continue this run and have made plans to visit Rajwada to celebrate if the team wins. Prajesh Kabra, a chartered accountant, informed, "Hosting an international match in the city is a matter of pride. The excitement of celebrating the victory at Rajwada is something different as the whole city assembles there when India wins. Also, a plate of Indori chaat after the cheering is something more to look forward to."Special cakesIndore's shopkeepers are making the most of the cricket fever. "The demand for cricket-themed cakes has gone through the roof in the last week. Even cup-cakes and cookies are being made with the cricket theme in mind," informed Meghna Sethi, a baker from the city.Chaat, pakode and matchNot everyone believes that watching a cricket match at the stadium is the real deal. A major chunk of Indoreans feels that watching the match at home, office or hostel in groups amidst plates of chaat, pakode and steaming tea is enough for enjoyment. "We have arranged for a projector and screen which we will place in the common room of our hostel and enjoy the match together," said Ritesh Bothra, a management student. Suman Makkar, a homemaker, added, "My husband is a cricket maniac and to watch this match he has invited all his friends and their families home. All the ladies will prepare some delicious snacks during the first innings while the men will do the same during the second innings." Pradeep Punjabi, a businessman, said, "Since I am a businessman, I can't leave my shop. So I took out an old TV set from our showroom and got it repaired. I've kept this TV in my office so that I can enjoy the match and work as well."Duty firstLokesh Misra (name changed on request), a police constable, said, "I wanted to watch this match but I am on duty outside the stadium, managing crowds and traffic. Duty comes first and I will catch the scores as and when time permits. But I am happy that Indoreans will finally enjoy an international match."