Pollard's power and Kannada songs
The home team rolls over, and no Tendulkar show either. There's disappointment for you
Nandeeshwar BK
18-Apr-2010
Kieron Pollard: crash, boom, bang • Indian Premier League
The game
I picked this match because the Mumbai Indians had so many India internationals, especially Sachin Tendulkar. I had booked my tickets nearly a month ago. With Bangalore red-hot in the initial stages, and even beating Mumbai away, I expected it to be a close game.
I picked this match because the Mumbai Indians had so many India internationals, especially Sachin Tendulkar. I had booked my tickets nearly a month ago. With Bangalore red-hot in the initial stages, and even beating Mumbai away, I expected it to be a close game.
Team supported
Bangalore. And since Tendulkar has been in great form, I was hoping to see a special innings from him and Bangalore chasing down the target.
Bangalore. And since Tendulkar has been in great form, I was hoping to see a special innings from him and Bangalore chasing down the target.
Key performer
Mumbai started off slow as Ryan McLaren struggled to get the boundaries. But then Ambati Rayudu took the game away with a 27-ball 46.
Mumbai started off slow as Ryan McLaren struggled to get the boundaries. But then Ambati Rayudu took the game away with a 27-ball 46.
One thing I'd have changed
Obviously it would have been better if there hadn't been a blast. It took place just behind our stand, and while we heard a loud noise we didn't realise what it was till people outside called us to find out if we were okay. I would have also preferred a closer match. It would have been nice if the game was still alive at the 16th over of the second innings, but in fact, it was over by the ninth over and even Ross Taylor and Robin Uthappa couldn't do much about it.
Obviously it would have been better if there hadn't been a blast. It took place just behind our stand, and while we heard a loud noise we didn't realise what it was till people outside called us to find out if we were okay. I would have also preferred a closer match. It would have been nice if the game was still alive at the 16th over of the second innings, but in fact, it was over by the ninth over and even Ross Taylor and Robin Uthappa couldn't do much about it.
Wow moment
Mumbai's run-rate rocketed after three sixes in an over by Kieron Pollard. The third one almost rose to the second tier of the stands.
Mumbai's run-rate rocketed after three sixes in an over by Kieron Pollard. The third one almost rose to the second tier of the stands.
Player watch
Tendulkar got the loudest cheers wherever he fielded. During the first innings, R Vinay Kumar and Pankaj Singh fielded near our stand. In the second, Zaheer Khan and Pollard were by our stand. Zaheer waved at us a few times.
Tendulkar got the loudest cheers wherever he fielded. During the first innings, R Vinay Kumar and Pankaj Singh fielded near our stand. In the second, Zaheer Khan and Pollard were by our stand. Zaheer waved at us a few times.
Shot of the day
Virat Kohli used his bottom hand to hit a stylish six off a fuller delivery to wide long-on.
Virat Kohli used his bottom hand to hit a stylish six off a fuller delivery to wide long-on.
Crowd meter
The stadium was filled with Bangalore supporters, though there were a number of Mumbai fans as well. The chants of "RCB" were frequent. Mumbai's team song was played after each boundary and wicket by them. The crowd cheered Mumbai's runs as well, though not as vociferously as for Bangalore. When the asking rate rose over 12 by the end of 10 overs, the spectators became subdued, and by the end of the 15th over they started leaving the stadium.
The stadium was filled with Bangalore supporters, though there were a number of Mumbai fans as well. The chants of "RCB" were frequent. Mumbai's team song was played after each boundary and wicket by them. The crowd cheered Mumbai's runs as well, though not as vociferously as for Bangalore. When the asking rate rose over 12 by the end of 10 overs, the spectators became subdued, and by the end of the 15th over they started leaving the stadium.
Accessories
Paper horns.
Paper horns.
Fancy-dress index
A large group of fans in Bangalore jerseys was wearing dhotis and Mysore petas [turbans]. Traditional and stylish.
A large group of fans in Bangalore jerseys was wearing dhotis and Mysore petas [turbans]. Traditional and stylish.
Entertainment
There was a mix of Kannada and English tunes. Though the crowd roared every time a Kannada song was played, the cheerleaders struggled to dance to the Kannada songs. The DJ tried at least twice or thrice to get the spectators to attempt a Mexican wave, but the crowd's efforts were half-hearted since the match had been decided by then.
There was a mix of Kannada and English tunes. Though the crowd roared every time a Kannada song was played, the cheerleaders struggled to dance to the Kannada songs. The DJ tried at least twice or thrice to get the spectators to attempt a Mexican wave, but the crowd's efforts were half-hearted since the match had been decided by then.
Star-spotting
Vijay Mallya looked tense while speaking to the police, but he did come by our stand and wave to the crowds before the match, for which he got a loud cheer.
Vijay Mallya looked tense while speaking to the police, but he did come by our stand and wave to the crowds before the match, for which he got a loud cheer.
TV or stadium?
With no breaks, no ads, and the fact that you can scream your heart out, the stadium experience is definitely better.
With no breaks, no ads, and the fact that you can scream your heart out, the stadium experience is definitely better.
Marks out of 10
6, because the game was decided by the first second-innings time out. The first few overs from Bangalore were tight but their catching could have been better. Rayudu, JP Duminy and Pollard blasted Mumbai to a very good score, but then Bangalore botched up the chase in the first few overs, which turned the game into a one-sided affair.
6, because the game was decided by the first second-innings time out. The first few overs from Bangalore were tight but their catching could have been better. Rayudu, JP Duminy and Pollard blasted Mumbai to a very good score, but then Bangalore botched up the chase in the first few overs, which turned the game into a one-sided affair.
Want to do a Fan Following report? Read our FAQ here
 |