Bihar boy Lakhan Raja with Team India member Virat Kohli (right) after the World Cup win. Telegraph picture

Patna, April 4: A deafening hush descended on Wankhede Stadium when India slumped to 31/2 by the sixth over when fast bowler Lasith Malinga’s second ball claimed Virender Sehwag on duck and had Sachin Tendulkar (18) caught behind in his fourth over.

Patna resident Aditya Verma, the secretary of Cricket Association of Bihar, gave this first-hand account of the ups and downs in the mood of spectators at Wankhede.

Verma, along with four budding cricketers of Bihar, had gone to witness the tryst with history on the invitation of International Cricket Council (ICC) chairperson and Mumbai Cricket Association president Sharad Pawar. Verma returned from Mumbai today.

Sharing his experience about the final match with The Telegraph, Verma said: “It was a historic moment for us to be a part of such a grand event. After Sachin’s departure, the spectators remained tense for a few hours. However, the brilliant and calculative partnership by Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir again reposed faith in more than 30,000 Indian cricket fans watching the game. From 31/2, Gambhir and Kohli gave India a good partnership of 114 runs for the third wicket stand.”

Runs were being scored in all directions even as the humidity surged. More than 30,000 people had gathered at the stadium, a majority of them hoping and expecting that this World Cup was theirs. Verma said: “The spectators came from diverse backgrounds, right from celebrities seated in the VIP row to general Mumbaikars who had come in colourful attire to cheer the team on.”

Sachin Srivastva, Lakhan Raja, Prince Kumar and Haresh Singh Verma were the budding cricketers who accompanied Verma besides Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) legal advisor Chandrashekar and CAB president and former Ranji player Shekhar Sinha. After India’s win, Verma said that the residents of Mumbai are crazy for cricket was proved beyond doubt. It was nearly morning when they reached their hotel as most the roads were chock-a-block with rejoicing people.

The Bihar delegation could meet Team India players and congratulate them. Verma said: “Despite being the world champions, Team India members were modest. When Lakhan Raja requested Kohli for a photo-op, he agreed to it.” Nawab of Najafgarh Virendra Sehwag also autographed Raja’s bat.

Pawar had handed over seven tickets to Verma and promised that he would do everything possible so that Bihar too gets an official cricket association. Verma added that Pawar assured that BCCI would sort out the differences between Jharkhand Cricket Association and other cricket associations in Bihar.