Finally, saw a test match live at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday and Saturday. Thursday was all about anticipating Sachin's 100th century. However, the real joy came from watching Rahul and Laxman bat that day. Though Sachin managed an exquisite upper cut, the strokes and wrists of Rahul and Laxman were a delight to watch. There was anticipation when Sachin ended the day at 67 but did not reach his 100th century the next day.
Saturday was a truly exceptional day. Rajat and I arrived at the venue around lunchtime. By then, the West Indies had collapsed, leaving India with a target of 243 to win. When Sehwag and Dravid were on song, it seemed a formality, but all the top order batsman got out due to their own mistakes. It was amazing to see the Windies fighting till the last ball and the last 4 overs bowled by Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards were truly outstanding. The draw with the scores tied was a fair result in the end. The stadium was only 60% full, but the pressure was intense. The chants of each Indian cricket's name echoed in the stadium. The crowd may have increased Sachin's stress and also affected the performance of the Indian batsmen who couldn't handle the pressure. The Wankhede stadium has improved and now the seats are designed for people with a waist size of 34" and below.
The access and security at the stadium were good. There were always over a thousand people outside. Test match cricket seems to move at a slow pace, but as events on Saturday would testify , the situation changes quickly. Due to its leisurely pace, one could miss an occasional ball or wicket, but the big screens show replays quickly enough. It is also not easy to spot the ball if it is hit in the air or a bouncer as it goes sailing over the batsman's head (even on a lifeless wicket). Watching cricket live also gives you a good feeling of how difficult it is to score runs and find the gaps. The timing and placement have to be exquisite, and I guess that separates the greats from the mortals. Photographs on Facebook for those interested
All in all a great experience. Thanks Rajat
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