Youngsters paint their faces in different colours to wish Team India win against Pakistan in the Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final match. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, March 29: It has been prophesied to be the most exciting match of this cricket World Cup edition and to witness the India versus Pakistan semi-final on Wednesday, youngsters in the capital city, mostly college students, have found innovative ideas. From visiting temples and offering special prayers to creating an electrifying ambience to watch the match, the youth in the city are trying out novel ways to cheer for Team India.

Hostel residents of Utkal University, who have watched the matches so far on television sets, have pooled in money to arrange for a projector and screen. Students from all hostels will be watching the match on the lawn.

“The hostel hall does not allow enough space for all of us to dance in joy when a wicket falls or when an Indian batsman hits a six. So we have arranged for loud music, colours that we saved during holi and a lot of party props and accessories to add excitement to the open-air viewing experience,” said Shiv Kumar Shah, a student.

“We will gather on the lawn in the evening till the match concludes. Since watching a cricket match in the open air has its own charm, we are going to create a stadium-like ambience,” said another student. The students are also planning to hold “victory rally” on the campus on Sunday if India wins.

Many youngsters have started their campaign to cheer for India right after the victory over Australia. “We organised special prayers and even a yajna with posters of all the Indian team players around the fire pit. We are sure India will continue its 100 per cent record against Pakistan and win the semi-final, especially after the prayers,” said Saurabh Patnaik, a member of a local youth club.

Sporting Bleed Blue jersey’s and T-shirts with the emblem of ICC World Cup 2011, youngsters can be seen thronging stores that sell party accessories.

“I simply loved the Malinga wig worn by spectators in the stadium. I am collecting three for me and my friends so that we can cheer Team India with style,” said Mimi Mohapatra, a college student. “We have also collected blow-out whistles and vuvuzelas for the sake of sound effects,” she added.

“The World Cup emblem jerseys and the toys of mascot Stumpy are selling like hot cakes before the India-Pakistan semi-final. Many young groups are collecting them in large numbers along with colourful hats and vuvuzela trumpets,” says Dinesh Mallick, who owns a store of party accessories.