Pune has been gripped by mass euphoria ever since the Men in Blue crushed Australia in the quarterfinals. Today’s clash between India and Pakistan isn’t just any other game of cricket for Puneites. It is the ultimate showdown between two arch rivals on the grand arena of the Cricket World Cup. Cricket lovers in the city are leaving no stones unturned to enjoy the match in the best possible way. Some are busy bargaining for Team India T- shirts, whereas others are painting their faces in the tri-color. There are also those who want to enjoy the ultimate battle sitting at home watching TV while sipping a coffee and munching snacks. Club houses and housing societies across Pune have decided to make it big by setting up huge projector screens.

Rakesh Sharma, who owns an audio-visual outlet in Pune Camp, has never witnessed so many people lining up to hire projectors. “People are calling us throughout the day to hire projectors and more than 80 people have already booked projectors in the last couple of days. The cricket frenzy has gripped the entire city,” said Sharma, who normally charges Rs 1,500-2,000 per projector for a period of eight hours, however the prices have gone up to Rs 4,000 per projector for the India- Pakistan clash.

Housing societies, recreational halls, educational institutions and IT companies are also not far behind in putting up projectors for maximum match experience. Manish Vatsal, manager of an audio-visual equipment outlet in Kothrud, witnessed a whooping 40 per cent boom in his business this season. “I got so many calls from people seeking projectors, but I could rent only 10 of them due to lack of stock. Most of the people wanted to projectors for public places,” said Vatsal.

Businessman Atul Shetty, who has hired a huge projector armed with a massive 18tx12 ft screen, says that he cannot wait for the match to begin. “I am waiting for the first ball to be bowled. I have put up a huge screen in the hall of my bungalow. I will enjoy the match with friends amidst gourmet delights, drinks and some fun games. The winners will be getting prizes too,” said Shetty.

Furthermore, many malls and multiplexes in the city have also geared up for the big match and have decided to woo their clientele with big screen projections of the ultimate scorcher.

Ashish Pratap Kumar, marketing head of a mall located at Shivaji Nagar, said, “Our mall has been telecasting all World Cup matches ever since the first ball of the series was bowled. Matches are being shown at the mall’s foyer, which has a panel of six big screen televisions updating visitors with every run scored and each ball bowled,” said Kumar.

Neelima Saxena, vice-president of a multiplex on Ganeshkhind Road said the match will be screened on most of the screens in the multiplex. “The response has been overwhelming and more than 40 per cent of the tickets have already been sold out. We are showing matches for the fist time in our theater and we were expecting a good response from cricket lovers. If India reaches the finals, we would screen that match as well, so that people can enjoy the big screen experience,” said Saxena.

Reema Sen and her friends have gone ahead to hire a tattoo artist. Considering the particulars involved and the time it might take to get a tattoo done, the art work will begin early morning. “We shall watch the match at a friend’s house, where a projector has been put up. The tattoo that we are getting has the theme “blue”. Food items served during the match will be named after Team India players,” said Sen, a student.

Ravi Singh, a cricket lover, said, “The stakes are really high for the India-Pakistan match and I don’t think people will like to miss even a single ball bowled. We have a giant screen put up in the parking lot of our housing society, where each and every society member will watch the match. Pizzas and cold drinks would lighten up the mood a bit and crackers will go off every time India hits a boundary.”

Paridhi Karmarkar, a PR professional said, “I am planning to finish my work early in the morning and rush off to my friend’s place at Koregaon Park to watch the match .They have set up a big screen and there’s a big Indian flag that will fly high during the match. The history behind both the teams and the age-old rivalry makes the contest even more interesting. I shall dance and shout my lungs out every time Yuvraj hits a six. I am looking forward to enjoy every bit of the match with my friends.”

Going a step ahead, owner of Satyam eatery, Ashok Jadhav, a misal joint at Sadashiv Peth has declared to give one misal free every plate you buy if India wins the match. “I am a true cricket lover and I am sure that India is going to win the match. More than 700 customers have already placed their order with us and we are preparing misal to serve more than 5,000 customers,” said Jadhav.

India-Pakistan match can always leave behind some anxious volatile moments, and to prevent any trouble in the city, Pune Police have made elaborate security arrangements.  Extra police officers will guard the city during the match and the department has warned people against displaying flags on their vehicles and to travel triple seats on two-wheelers. The police are holding meetings with organizations and local politicians and appealing them to maintain peace.

- Siddhartha Laik