Patna, April 3: As soon as Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lifted Nuwan Kulasekara for a six at the Wankhede Stadium in the second ball of the 49th over in the World Cup final, cricket fans in the state capital erupted. The spontaneous celebrations started even before the ball landed in the stands.

Youths took to the streets soon after, smearing each other with gulal, bursting crackers, dancing or simply screaming “hum jeet gayen (we won)” at the top of their voice. Some burst into tears, others hugged strangers to express the overwhelming emotions after the match.

“This is my first-ever World Cup win,” said Dakbungalow roundabout resident Ramesh Kumar.

He added: “It was a tense match. When Lasith Malinga got our openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar out cheaply, I was alarmed. I changed the channel because the tension was too much for me to bear. But after Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli rebuilt the Indian innings, I once again started watching the match. And now I am out on the streets to celebrate.”

The city streets were chock-a-block last night. But no one complained of the traffic jams on Boring Road, Boring Canal Road, Lohanipur, Beer Chand Patel Path, Rajabazaar, Ashiyana, Sheikhpura, Ashok Rajpath and Danapur. People honked, not because they were stranded, but to express their joy.

Earlier in the evening, the streets were deserted as the match started in the afternoon. But the crowds poured out soon after Dhoni’s Devils lifted the Cup.

Overjoyed fans distributed sweets. People started playing drums and trumpets as India beat Sri Lanka to clinch their tryst with history. Fireworks lit up the skies.

In Patna City, shopkeeper Mohammad Imtiaz said crackers worth over Rs 10 lakh were sold in the past two days.

“Such sales happen only during Diwali. We knew there would be a demand for firecrackers if India defeated Sri Lanka. So our shops were open till midnight,” said Imtiaz.

But the party went on for long after that, as Yuvraj Singh, the Man of the Tournament, said: “It’s going to be a good night.”

It was a good night indeed. Even around 2am, the thoroughfares were chock-a-block. Residents sang Vande Mataram and the National Anthem, as they swayed the Tricolour.

Buddha Colony resident Deepak Kumar said: “We will never forget this high! India made history! I have only heard about the 1983 win. But I was not born then. I am very lucky to see this. I will tell my grandchildren about this!”

Most restaurants had closed by 10pm but the celebrations continued in clubs.

At Bankipore Club, Kamlesh Kapoor said: “I love the attitude of this Indian cricket team. I loved it when they carried Sachin round the field on their shoulders. He is an icon for cricket. He may not have scored his 100th century in this match but we won the Cup. That’s what matters!”

By the time the party ended and the fans returned home to sleep, a new dawn was on the horizon — the dawn of victory!