Cricket Carnage

High anticipation, huge stage, but an unexpectedly one-sided cricket match as India swiftly defeated Pakistan, disappointing fans who traveled from across India and its diaspora.

The stadium, though not completely full, was alive with energy a few empty seats amidst a sea of blue. Unfortunately, the game that unfolded was just as one-sided as the crowd's allegiance. It began with an innings of two uneven halves and concluded with India's triumph by seven wickets, with over 19 overs to spare.

Pakistan's record in World Cup matches now stands at 0-8, and this was another instance where they fell short of expectations. However, there was a glimmer of hope early on. At the 30th over mark, they were 155 for two, with Babar Azam reaching his half-century and Mohammad Rizwan following closely. Their scoring had been slow, but they hadn't lost wickets, and it seemed they were building towards a challenging total.

But then, the tide turned. Over the next 78 balls, they managed to score only 36 runs and lost eight wickets. After the promising partnership between Babar and Rizwan, there were multiple brief stints at the crease, and the team's resistance crumbled.

Historically, defending a total below 200 at the World Cup has been rare. In this case, it appeared even less likely with Rohit Sharma's exceptional form. He started his innings by hitting the first ball for a boundary, and when he was finally dismissed, he had accumulated 86 runs, including six fours and six sixes. With India needing only 36 more runs to win, Shreyas Iyer took charge.

Rohit's innings displayed ambition, exquisite timing, and, at times, sheer dominance, especially against Haris Rauf. While the match itself may not have been a cricketing spectacle, it was an unforgettable party for the fans. The quick conclusion only added to the celebration, and the event's organization appeared as smooth as India's victory.

Before the match, the streets were already closed to traffic, and fans wearing India's blue shirts were lining up to enter the stadium. The heavy security presence ensured safety, and a well-organized entry process made it a hassle-free experience for the attendees. An opening ceremony, featuring renowned local singers, set the stage for the 12th game of the tournament, overshadowing the previous matches.