Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, April 1: With the stage all set for the big fight between India and Sri Lanka in the World Cup final to be played in Mumbai on Saturday, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar are immersed in cheering for the Indian cricket team. Wishes and prayers continue to pour in for Dhoni’s Men in Blue, who are just one win away from becoming the world champions.

Though, unlike the last World Cup held in the sub-continent in 1996, no matches were held in the Barabati Stadium of the Millennium City, the fervour among cricket fans in city is at an all time high. In a bid to cheer team India, special prayers were organised by several groups on Friday. “We had organised a special prayer at Jagannath temple near Khannagar on the occasion of the semi-final match between India and Pakistan. Since then, we have lit an Akhanda Deepa (lamp that burns continuously) at the temple and today we performed a special prayer for the victory of team India,” said organiser Alok Agarwal.

“We want to see the Dhoni’s men lift the World. This is the perfect time for him to prove his captaincy skills and recreate the 1983 magic once again for the thousands of fans across the country,” said Nimai Charan Routray, another member of the group.

Similarly, the members of the Suspense Club also organised prayers and held a rally in support of Team India at Oriya Bazar.

“Today, we offered prayers to Allah for India’s victory. Moreover, it will be a perfect gift to Sachin Tendulkar, whose dream of winning the World Cup is close. We pray that all the team members play to their potential and play for the country and their fans who have pinned a lot of hope on them,” said Seikh Zahiruddin, member of the Suspense Club. “We are looking forward to the match as we all have been waiting for this moment for several years. Arrangements for fireworks have been made in the entire Sahi to celebrate the victory of the Indian team,” said cricket fan Keshav Sahoo. Colourful rallies on bikes in the capital have lifted the spirit of cricket fans. College students are seen going around the city in around 40 bikes holding the Indian flag and cheering for the team.

(From left) Students of DAV Public School in Berhampur wish Team India good luck, members of Puri Atheletic Association participate in a mini marathon and in Cuttack youngsters painted their faces to show their support for Dhoni’s team on the eve of the World Cup final. Pictures by Gopal Krishna Reddy, Sarat Patra and Badrika Nath Das

“Not only are the youngsters creating a magical spectacle waving so many flags together, they are also creating a sense of excitement for the match among the onlookers,” said Bipin Parida.

The yagnas and prayers by youngsters continue while students in various colleges have planned midnight rallies on the campus. “We are all set to party hard because we are confident India will win the World Cup this year. So we have arranged for a DJ for a party after the match is over,” said a student of Utkal University. Marathons, prayers and arrangement of giant screens on roadsides have been made in other cities such as Berhampur, Puri, Bolangir and Sambalpur.