Mohali on a high

The city 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 exiting even before the curtains came down, knowing well that it was not a "green day" after all.

They were greeted by elated Indian youngsters shouting out victory slogans in sedans, exulting in the triumph. Some winners were booing the losers, but the friendship was intact.

"Ho gayi teri balle balle" and other Punjabi songs by Sukhbir and Mika filled the air, as much as the swinging arms of Indians who danced and made merry as the celebration had only begun.

There was a hug fest all around politicians congratulated each others and strangers smiled and embraced without care.

Hour of glory

In that hour of glory, traffic rules became nonexistent the roads were jammed, and police officials seemed rather relaxed.

For around 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.
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Sloshed enthusiasts clinked bottles in big cars with blaring music, and some chose to park theirs to sway and sing on the car roofs.



Exulting fans flung their arms all around girls in autorickshaws, aunties in cars, gabru jawans on their bikes, their faces war painted and wardrobes bleeding blue.

At the buzzing Aroma Chowk in Chandigarh, where the police seemed calm, young men circled on bikes, the Tricolour in their hands and jubilant Punjabi numbers on their lips.

Old, young, rich, poor none of those demarcations existed in the moments after the historic win only the united spirit of India did. The much-in-demand dholwalas were more than happy.

"They were elated that their clients, unlike other days, were not bargaining. Whateveru00a0 they asked for they got. Aaj toh poori raat bajayenge (We'll play all night)!"shouted Kartar Singh.

Even police patrol vans were not spared they were mounted by flag-waving fans who wouldn't let the men in uniform miss out on the fun.