The Hindu : Front Page : Thrilling match has fans all tied up

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Monday, Feb 28, 2011
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Thrilling match has fans all tied up

Special Correspondent

Sanchin Tendulkar, Andrew Strauss rule the turf at Chinnaswamy stadium

— PHOTO: V. SREENIVASA MURTHY

MATCHLESS!:For a fixture that was jinxed from the start, Sunday's game turned itself into one of the most memorable thrillers for cricket fans.

Bangalore: On Saturday afternoon, Andrew Strauss said: “We'd love to spoil the Indian party at Bangalore.” And on an unforgettable Sunday night, the England skipper almost did it as the Chinnaswamy Stadium embraced a gamut of emotions ranging from joy to a resigned acceptance of the perfect verdict — a tie!

The key World Cup game between India and England proved to be a rollercoaster ride that threatened nerves and nails. Both teams scored 338 and two men dominated the day — Sachin Tendulkar and Strauss. The afternoon began with cameras panning onto a fan holding a placard that read: “Ton-dulkar, we love you.” And Tendulkar did rule the turf while luck seemed to have initially deserted England with key seamer Stuart Broad tweeting from his hotel room: “Good luck, lads. Gutted, I am not there. Will be watching from the bed. Never felt worse.”

Strauss then lost the toss and Tendulkar sparkled. The Barmy Army waved their flags but their cheers were drowned amidst the deafening medley of unceasing sounds by home fans, a few of whom also cheekily hung a banner that read, “Bharat Army”.

That gaze

Fans, young and old alike, who queued up from 10.30 a.m. to occupy their vantage seats, were treated to a well-paced innings from Tendulkar. His inevitable 47th century in One Day Internationals ushered in the signature thanksgiving gaze skyward to the crowd's thunderous applause.

Meanwhile in the press box, Syed Kirmani caught up with Geoffrey Boycott and two former India captains — Anil Kumble and Ganguly — briefly bantered. Crowd's sportsmanship

India's 338 stretched England in the chase and the crowd did show its sportsmanship while applauding Strauss.

The visitors' captain played an innings (158) of poise under pressure and though Zaheer Khan winkled out three wickets at the death and Strauss returned disappointed, the England tail fought furiously and stung with two sixes. It all boiled down to 14 from the last over bowled by Munaf Patel and England managed 13 as Ajmal Shahzad and Graeme Swann swung their bats. The match finally paused at 338, though it will be talked about for years come.

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