The Hindu : Front Page : It pours disappointment in stadium

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005

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Front Page

It pours disappointment in stadium

Meera Srinivasan

BUSINESS, NEVERTHELESS: Children selling Indian flags near the M.A. Chidambaram stadium on Tuesday. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan .

CHENNAI: Cricket fans witnessed India and South Africa battle an evidently mightier opponent at the M.A.Chidambaram stadium on Tuesday.

It was a complete victory for the rain that played spoilsport, disappointing several thousands of cricket fans, who had come to witness the third ODI between India and South Africa.

It was all the more frustrating because most of them had hoped that the match would begin, albeit after a delay.

"I thought I would at least get to watch a 20 over match. I have been making plans for over a fortnight," lamented a fan, removing his headband that said, "I love my India."

Varun Lakshman, a student of Vidya Mandir, was equally upset. "I attended the morning session alone and took half-a-day's leave for the match. I wish it hadn't rained," he said.

Posters torn

Though there was no explicit display of extreme anger, a few fans threw water bottles into the ground. Others tore posters.

"The Indian team could have at least come around the stadium and waved at us. Having paid so much and come all the way, we would have had the satisfaction of seeing our favourite sportsmen," said S. Vijayaraghavan, who had come with his 13-year-old son.

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