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Kochi electrified by cricket stars

A Correspondent

THE STARS HAVE LANDED: Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Romesh Powar arriving at Cochin International Airport for the fourth One Day International match against England. — Photo: Mahesh Harilal

NEDUMBASSERY: Cricket is like a religion to Indians, a clichéd statement, one may think. But the kind of reception cricketers draw across the country is a testimony to the god-like status enjoyed by new-age cricketing stars. So the scene was no different as the cricket caravan, comprising the Indian and England teams, moved to Kochi on Tuesday morning.

The teams, which arrived at the airport here on a special flight from Goa for the fourth match of the One-Day series, were accorded a rousing reception. Panchavadyam was played and girls clad in traditional Kerala attire showered the players with flower petals as they walked out of the terminal.

Though the summer sun had relented a bit, the conditions were hot and humid enough for anyone to risk the idea of remaining outdoors. However, the cricket buffs who had gathered outside the airport proved that their passion for the game was strong enough to endure the scorching heat.

Young cricket fans were in a festive mood as they made full use of the occasion, coming as it did at the beginning of their vacation. At least before the game, the fans appeared neutral as England flags fluttered in the air along with the Tricolour.

The first to turn up was ace fast bowler Irfan Pathan. Close on his heels was Sreesanth, Kerala's own whiz-kid, who walked in with earphones plugged in. It must have been a proud moment for the young pace bowler, as it was for the first time that he was coming to his home State along with the Indian team.

Soon other players including Yuvaraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, R.P. Singh and Romesh Pawar also came along. Captain Rahul Dravid, vice-captain Virender Sehwag and coach Greg Chappell followed.

However, the wait was still on and in came Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Jharkhand lad famous for his swashbuckling batting. The deafening roar with which he was received left no one in doubt about who the new superstar in the team was. Last time when Dhoni came to Kochi for the match against Pakistan he was a rank newcomer and was hardly noticed. A full season and a couple of big hundreds later, he has become eye candy for the entire nation.

There was no doubt about the biggest star among the England players as everyone vied to catch a glimpse of the English captain Andrew `Freddie' Flintoff. Two young English women were so excited on seeing their hero in flesh and blood that in their attempt to get his autograph they almost fell over the railing separating the check-in area. The big hitting Kevin Pietersen was another star attraction.

Most of the team officials and umpires also came on Tuesday. One of the officiating umpires, Rudi Koertzen, has been in the city since Sunday.

The fans kept on roaring and waving at the cricketers even as the buses carrying them left for the hotel Taj Malabar where they have been put up. A heavy security cover was thrown over the airport in view of the arrival of the teams. The match is to be played on Thursday at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.

Kerala Cricket Association president S. K. Nair, secretary T.C. Mathew, and Ernakulam Range Deputy Inspector-General K. Padmakumar were among those who received the players at the airport.

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