Home away from home

Woke up early in the morning yesterday to catch the Adelaide flight from Melbourne and almost immediately felt the fever of the India-Pakistan match. “It does not matter if India wins the World Cup. I want to see the boys win today. This is a final for me,” taxi-driver Mohit Sharma excitedly gasped.

Mohit however, didn't get a chance to join the fervour along with his fellow Indian mates. “Asians have to work hard here. I worked for the last 15 hours and will get a break of just four hours now. So there's no chance. I do have FM radio though,” said Mohit, who came from Punjab and kept us entertained on the way to the Melbourne International Airport.

Also travelling to Adelaide to catch the blockbuster action was legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath and the Indian fans at the airport ensured that they didn't waste this opportunity as they stormed in to take selfies. Australians though rarely stopped him.

After landing at Adelaide we were greeted by Yassin, a taxi driver from Eritrea. While to him sports meant football and athletics, he was aware of the big match yesterday. “Oh yes! India and Pakistan are big rivals aren't they? Is it a one-day match or are they playing for five-days,” he obliged.

A half-an-hour drive later we were welcomed by chanting slogans, cheers, jeers and claps from both side's supporters on the streets next to the venue. Indians were the majority but still, Pakistani fans made a match out of it by screaming and whistling as loudly as possible.

“I don't mind if my team fails to win the Cup, we just need to win this match to end Pakistan's curse against,” said hoped Pakistan supporter Javed Khan.

The atmosphere and hot weather gave it a perfect sub-continent flair and made it feel like a home away from home.