Uthappa and Taylor electrify Bangalore
A packed stadium, sizzling sixes, a stunning save, and some cool music made this fan's day
Vasanth Raghavan
11-Apr-2010
Robin goes boom • AFP
The game
I wanted to catch a game at the stadium this IPL season. However, I found most matches were sold out within the first two weeks. So I bought tickets for the next available game.
I wanted to catch a game at the stadium this IPL season. However, I found most matches were sold out within the first two weeks. So I bought tickets for the next available game.
Key performer
Robin Uthappa. Though Vinay Kumar took three wickets, Uthappa provided the necessary fire power at the death to complete a comfortable run-chase.
Robin Uthappa. Though Vinay Kumar took three wickets, Uthappa provided the necessary fire power at the death to complete a comfortable run-chase.
One thing I'd have changed
Ajit Agarkar dropping S Sriram on 17. If he had held on, perhaps the match would have been more tense and interesting.
Ajit Agarkar dropping S Sriram on 17. If he had held on, perhaps the match would have been more tense and interesting.
Face-off I relished
Brendon McCullum v Dale Steyn. No one can forget what McCullum did when he first played in Bangalore. However, Steyn bowled tight lines and kept him quiet - though McCullum got away against the other bowlers.
Brendon McCullum v Dale Steyn. No one can forget what McCullum did when he first played in Bangalore. However, Steyn bowled tight lines and kept him quiet - though McCullum got away against the other bowlers.
Wow moment
Ross Taylor fielded near our stand and was cheered by the fans. At one point a skier headed towards him, looking likely to cross the boundary. Taylor jumped and swatted the ball back on to the field, saving five runs, much to the delight of the crowd.
Ross Taylor fielded near our stand and was cheered by the fans. At one point a skier headed towards him, looking likely to cross the boundary. Taylor jumped and swatted the ball back on to the field, saving five runs, much to the delight of the crowd.
Shot of the day
Uthappa hit 17 runs off the 16th over, bowled by Ishant Sharma. The first delivery was hit straight down long-off, on to the pavilion terrace.
Uthappa hit 17 runs off the 16th over, bowled by Ishant Sharma. The first delivery was hit straight down long-off, on to the pavilion terrace.
Crowd meter
Fans from this cricket-mad city usually turn up in force for Test matches. Needless to say, the atmosphere for the Twenty20 was electric. A partisan crowd backed Bangalore - chants of "RCB, RCB", egged on by the DJ, drowned out Kolkata's "Korbo, Lorbo, Jitbo". But there was a lot of support for Sourav Ganguly. There was a big banner with "Dada" written on it that hung from the first tier of the stadium.
Fans from this cricket-mad city usually turn up in force for Test matches. Needless to say, the atmosphere for the Twenty20 was electric. A partisan crowd backed Bangalore - chants of "RCB, RCB", egged on by the DJ, drowned out Kolkata's "Korbo, Lorbo, Jitbo". But there was a lot of support for Sourav Ganguly. There was a big banner with "Dada" written on it that hung from the first tier of the stadium.
Entertainment
The music was wonderful. The emcee kept the crowd on its feet, egging us to shout "Ross the Boss" and "Draaavid... Draaavid".
The music was wonderful. The emcee kept the crowd on its feet, egging us to shout "Ross the Boss" and "Draaavid... Draaavid".
Banner of the day
"Red Spicy Uthappa too hot to handle for the purple knights".
"Red Spicy Uthappa too hot to handle for the purple knights".
TV or stadium?
The stadium any day. Firstly, you are spared the torture of the commercial blitz on TV. There are no ads between overs and between balls. Secondly, you can see the captain adjust his fields, the exercises players do to loosen up, team huddles etc. And the giant screen at the stadium ensures you don't miss the replays of dismissals, sixes and fours. It also flashes shots of celebrities in the stadium and contributes to the electric atmosphere with innovative captions for the big hits or dismissals.
The stadium any day. Firstly, you are spared the torture of the commercial blitz on TV. There are no ads between overs and between balls. Secondly, you can see the captain adjust his fields, the exercises players do to loosen up, team huddles etc. And the giant screen at the stadium ensures you don't miss the replays of dismissals, sixes and fours. It also flashes shots of celebrities in the stadium and contributes to the electric atmosphere with innovative captions for the big hits or dismissals.
Hardship factor
It's difficult if you're in a group and everyone doesn't arrive at the same time. Once you're in the stadium, it's impossible to come out to hand a ticket to a person who arrives late because of traffic. We had to wait for everyone to arrive before entering the stadium, and since seats in a stand are basically first-come-first-served, we didn't get the best seats.
It's difficult if you're in a group and everyone doesn't arrive at the same time. Once you're in the stadium, it's impossible to come out to hand a ticket to a person who arrives late because of traffic. We had to wait for everyone to arrive before entering the stadium, and since seats in a stand are basically first-come-first-served, we didn't get the best seats.
Marks out of 10
9.5. It would have been 10, only Bangalore won comfortably.
9.5. It would have been 10, only Bangalore won comfortably.
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