Asia Cup diary: Banners fit to cheer on star of the night

By K.R. Nayar

Dubai. Fans seated near the press box quickly make placards hailing Hardik Pandya, the hero of India’s win against Pakistan. One of them called him the ‘Neymar of India’ after the Brazilian soccer star. Another placard said: ‘Hairy Hardik’ since he sports funky hairstyles many a times. One journalist was curious to know what his real nickname was. Interestingly, he must be the cricketer with the maximum number of nicknames due to his flamboyant approach to life.

This story was published in The Telegraph, India 

Hardik’s brother Krunal Pandya cheered for his brother from the stands. It is said that they were called ‘Maggi brothers’ due to their love for Maggi noodles during their growing up years.  Hardik’s power-hitting had made a few call him ‘Kung Fu Pandya’. He has also been addressed as ‘Rockstar Pandya.’ Hardik wears many tattoos, and one of them says ‘Never give up’. Since Hardik was the star of the night, the media expected him for the post match press conference but it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar who addressed the media.

Flags as shield from the Sun

The aura of an India-Pakistan match is always special. The frenzy for the match begins from the roads leading to the stadium. Fans have to park their cars far away from the stadium and then walk to their respective gates. And they made it memorable screaming support for their respective teams and talking cricket all the way. 

A cricket fan with a colourful umbrella 

In most countries, fans wrap their country’s flags to ward off the cold breeze, but in Dubai they used them as a shield from the hot sun and avoid getting sun burned. This walk to the gates in the heat hovering around 40 degrees, which were open from 3pm, was a test of their stamina too. 

Water bottles in containers brought on e-scooter 

A few were seen making quick money selling water bottles but they were confiscated at the entrance since water bottles are banned inside the stadium. However, the security men at the gates were provided with water bottles in containers brought on e-scooters. A male cricket fan who walked in with a colourful umbrella caught the attention of many.

Reverence for Dhoni lives through team jerseys 

India and Pakistan team jerseys with the Asia Cup 2022 logo got sold like hot cakes yesterday. Many outlets were also willing to print names and numbers for the fans at the back of the respective country’s team jersey that they purchased. Speaking to The Telegraph, a fan remarked: “I could have had my name printed behind but I preferred to have Dhoni’s name with his favourite number 7.” 

A Dhoni fan who opted out of having his name printed on the team jersey 

Many Pakistan fans had Babar Azam’s name printed behind their team jersey. A young boy wore a plain T-shirt but had Dhoni printed on it. “I am a huge fan of Dhoni. Hence I felt I should remember him and wear a T shirt with his name on it,” he said. 

Pakistan fans with names of Babar and Rizwan printed on their team jersey  

For those who did not want any names wore the Team India jersey with the words ‘Chake De India’ on it. Fans who came in early, much before the toss, entertained themselves by shouting slogans supporting their teams. They were all disciplined and stood patiently in long queues. Dubai Police personnel on horses monitored their entry. 

Dubai Police personnel on horses

A KL Rahul fan had an interesting banner being waved all the way. And much to the relief of all fans in the stadium, the sun totally disappeared before the first ball was bowled.

Kushdil win Indian hearts 

Pakistan batsman Kushdil Shah evoked a lot of interest among Indians. Some fans were seen asking a journalist from Pakistan whether he had any Indian roots. He explained to them that Shah was a common name among the Pathans and that he was from Peshawar. Kushdil means ‘happy heart’ and so when he fell quickly after scoring only two runs someone remarked that he has made the hearts of Indians happy. 

They came to cheer for K.L. Rahul with great hopes, but it was not to be  

When Virat Kohli started striking well, an Indian remarked: “We will forgive him for not scoring a hundred for two years if he can win this match for us.”