Day 27th of April 2008, all roads lead to this new stadium which was waiting to host first match of international reckoning for itself. I was on my way to watch this debacle. Even before I could go to the stadium my day was made. We were on the road while suddenly I could listen to the siren of the security jeep. Some thing passed whistling besides us.
My eye caught the glimpse of this bus and this bus was none other than Team Mumbai Indian Team Bus.
I had already gone mad even as I saw this bus, chasing it was the only thing in my mind. There I caught the glimpse of some players, but the thing that mattered most and that made my day was to get a sight of Swash Buckling Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar himself. He was seated in the front seat of the bus and there my eyes like an x-ray from the dark glass spotted him. I went berserk and started chanting his name. Soon I waived at him and the biggest reward I got was that he waived back to me. Soon the team bus passed whistling into the stadium and then we had to give up the chase as we were not allowed to enter from there.
Enter the stadium after lots of chaos regarding the entry gate; there I see the absolute treat. Lush green outfield and absolutely good seating arrangement. The entire look of the stadium was mind blowing and with the crowd of Mumbai filling in, it was absolutely amazing. As usual the chanting off ‘Sachin Sachin’ was going on top of the voice even though Sachin was not playing in this match. The crowd was enjoying every bit of it, but only point of loosing interest was that the home team was loosing the match.
The match was very well organized at the DY Patil stadium wherein you could find less of police man, but more of security guards and the college volunteers guiding the spectators.
Even Adam Gilchrist who hit a superb ton was amazed of this stadium and crowd that he went on records saying that DY Patil stadium is at par with any other International Stadium. The Mexican waive was amazing as usual and the pitch was also good.
Only point of worry that after 3 matches, rest of the matches are shifted from DY Patil to the Wankhede Stadium. There’s nothing wrong with the ground or stadium only point of consideration is that it’s far away from the players hotel. Its some 40 km away from the hotel. The players had to travel a lots and there is no single ground close to their hotel.
But what ever DY Patil Ground had to offer, it was awesome and the people are going to cherish the memories.
