Girls celebrate the dismissal of a Lankan batsman in Patna on Saturday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, April 2: Prayers on their lips and hope in heart, the cricket fans in the city watched with bated breath as India took on Sri Lanka in the World Cup final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

Celebrations began way before the coin was tossed on the field. Fans came out on the roads to cheer for Team India. Early in the morning, youths hit the streets on motorbikes shouting slogans like “Jitega bhai jitega, India jitega”.

Crowds started tricking in at city restaurants and hotels which had made special arrangements to make it a memorable match for the cricket enthusiasts. Big screens were installed, special menu were planned, with dishes named after Indian players, and elaborate sitting arrangements were made to accommodate more number of people.

Roads and offices, on the other hand, became empty and shopping malls too looked deserted with people choosing to stay indoors to watch the game live on television.

After India lost the toss, the disappointment was evident on the faces of the fans at the restaurants. Kapil’s Eleven on Frazer Road installed an LCD screen in the special lounge and promised free mocktail on every six hit by Indian batsmen.

Vikash Sharma, a cricket fan said: “After a gap of 28 years, India has a very good chance to lift the Cup. I am very tensed now. Victory will surely help the game grow further and many youngsters and their parents would show interest in the game. India has beaten two former world champions Australia and Pakistan but we must not forget we are facing another world champion in the final.”

Hotel Chanakya installed a huge screen to enable cricket enthusiasts watch the game.

Vikram Singh, a guest said: “I wanted off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to play. He is an intelligent bowler who can frustrate the batsmen with his line and length. It is very sad that he is not playing in today’s match. Let’s see how Sreesanth performs in this match. But I am happy that Zaheer has taken early wickets. It is disappointing that the coin had to be tossed twice. Dhoni lost the second toss or else India would have batted first. Chasing is difficult in a World Cup title clash.”

Fans cheer Team India in the ICC World Cup final against Sri Lanka, in Gaya on Saturday. Picture by Suman

The corporate sector is not missing a chance to cash in on the World Cup craze. Cheerleaders, clad in Team India jersey, were seen celebrating under company banners.

Students cancelled their tuition classes and other assignments to watch the game. At Nikita Girl’s Hostel at Naya Tola, boarders painted their faces with Tricolour. They danced on every Sri Lanka dismissal. Manju Kumari, a student said: “As the match is being played in Mumbai, we all are keeping our fingers crossed for India’s victory.”

However, after the early dismissal of Sehwag while chasing a target of 275 runs, the celebration mood in Patna subsided.

Suresh Sinha, a guest in Hotel Maurya, said: “India committed the biggest mistake by including Sreesanth in the playing eleven. He proved expensive and did not taken a single wicket. Ashwin would have been a better option.”

Rishi Raj, a student of KVS, said: “If India really want to become the world champions, they must chase this score. I know chasing under floodlights is difficult but any team does not become champion by winning easy games.”

Cheering and shouting still continued at Minto and Jackson hostels, which were packed with students from the university. Ramesh Kumar, student of Patna Science College, said: “India will surely win the World Cup, the score is not big and our team can chase easily.”

Meanwhile, the police are taking necessary precautions by deploying mobile teams to check unruly activities, if any. “The police will take appropriate action to ensure smooth and peaceful celebrations if India clinches the ICC World Cup,” said a senior police officer.