31 March,2011 07:23 AM IST | | Amit Singh
Mohali poured out onto the streets with dhols, firecrackers, Bhangra troupes and beer as soon as the eighth Pakistani wicket fell. Before that, the area, like most other cities across India, had turned into a ghost town, with people either packed inside the stadium or glued to TV sets at home.
As the second innings started to turn in India's favour, the action grew grander as one neared the main field of action. Pakistani fans, utterly let down, were seen on their way out even before the curtains came down, knowing well that it was not a 'green day' after all.
They were faced by elated Indian youngsters shouting out victory slogans in surround-sound sedans, their mood unmatchable at the triumph. Some winners were booing the losers, but the fa ade of friendship was well intact.
'Ho Gayi Teri Balle Balle' and other Punjabi songs by popular pop singers such as Sukhbir and Mika filled the air, as much as the swinging arms of Indians who danced and made merry like the celebration had only begun. There was a hug fest all around - politicians congratulated each others and strangers smiled and embraced without care.
In that hour of glory, traffic rules became nonexistent - the roads were jammed, and police officials seemed rather relaxed for the frenzy all about.
For about an hour after the win, it was as if the authorities had consciously let go of all law and order, in absolute surrender to the euphoria.
Sloshed enthusiasts clinked bottles in big cars with blaring music, and some chose to park theirs to sway and sing on the car roofs.
Exulted fans flung their arms all aboutu00a0- girls in autorickshaws, aunties in cars, gabru jawans on their bikesu00a0- their faces war painted and wardrobes bleeding blue.
At the buzzing Aroma Chowk in Chandigarh, where the police seemed calm, young men circled on bikesu00a0- the tricolour in their hands and jubilant Punjabi numbers on their lips. Old, young, rich, pooru00a0- none of those demarcations existed in the moments after the epic win - only the united spirit of India did.
The dholwalas seemed doubly happyu00a0- they were elated not just at the country's win, but also their own, as no one minded paying them extra for the big party. "Aaj toh poori raat bajayenge (We'll play all night)!" shouted Kartar Singh, with his team of three dholis.
People thronged by the dozen in every corner of the cityu00a0- over celebrations, alcohol, elaborate dinner, or just plain greetings. Even police patrol vans were not sparedu00a0- they were mounted by foot thumping, flag waving fans who wouldn't let the men in uniform miss out on the fun.
