Mumbaikars decide to stay home to root for Men in Blue
Similar views were aired by Guddu Khapri, a pav bhaji stall owner at King's Circle junction.
Mumbai: The ‘make-or-break’ Champions Trophy league match between India and South Africa on Sunday at the Oval, London in England prompted Mumbaikars to stay home and root for the Men in Blue.
According to fans who ventured out despite the stellar performance by the Indian team by scuttling the South African team for a mere 191 runs in the first innings, the results against Pakistan and Sri Lanka had them on tenterhooks but the opportunity to watch the match live on the mobile phone encouraged them to spend the evening with their loved ones at malls, cineplexes and roadside eateries.
The match will decide whether it will be India or South Africa that progresses to the semifinal and is therefore billed as a virtual quarterfinal.
Sandesh Gaikwad, a sandwich seller at Five Gardens, saw a normal crowd earlier in the evening but after South Africa was bowled out for less than 200 the crowd almost disappeared. “As soon as the people realised that the Indian team had the upper hand, they hurried back home. Many took parcels. After 7 pm business dropped,” he said.
Similar views were aired by Guddu Khapri, a pav bhaji stall owner at King’s Circle junction. “We aren’t expecting much of a crowd. I hope that India win soon, after which the crowds will come in late,” said Mr Khapri.
Malls and multiplexes also saw a drop in patrons. “We have managed to sell only 50 per cent of the tickets for the evening and late shows,” said a ticket seller at PVR Metro at Kalyan.