Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) heaved a sigh of relief after India’s emphatic victory over England in the first One-day International (ODI) in Hyderabad. The victory not only raised the enthusiasm of the local fans but also the sale of tickets for the second match of the series here Monday.

DDCA joint secretary S.S. Sareen admitted to be surprised by the lack of demand for free passes for which the city is notoriously known and blamed it on India’s poor showing in England.

“Earlier, we used to have tough time arranging for free passes a month before the match. But this time hardly anyone turned up to ask for one. But a day after India’s win, we could see the enthusiasm returning and there was suddenly a very warm response from the people. The result is that we have a reasonable turn out today,” Sareen told IANS as the match got underway.

The first ODI saw low crowd attendance but India went on to post a massive 126-run victory after returning winless from the England tour.

“We are happy in a way that Hyderabad hosted the first match. India’s victory there definitely lifted the mood here,” Sareen said.

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Kamal and Shiva to help Delhi Police

A match at Kotla has always attracted people in droves, keeping Delhi Police officers busy in keeping things under control. However, this time around they have Shiva and Kamal to drive away the unruly crowds.

The two horses from the Police Lines at Tis Hazari enjoy the faith of their officers and have fairly good experience of the job.

“They are well behaved. Many a times when the crowd had gone out of hands, they had come in handy to drive them away,” constable Rajesh Kumar said.

“We are expecting people to turn up in large numbers, so we thought it is better to have them around.”

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English fans sorely miss Collingwood

Former skipper Paul Collingwood might have given up hopes of returning to the England ODI and Twenty20 squad but English supporters want to see him back in the side.

After England’s drubbing in the first ODI in the Hyderbad, the fans feel the team needs Collingwood in the middle order.

“Collingwood should have been considered for the series. He is experienced and has done well in the Indian conditions,” said Colin Bradshaw, who works with British High Commission and was at the Kotla with a group of friends.

“He would have definitely strengthened the middle order. I was speaking to a few friends back home and they admit that there is a general feeling that Collingwood should have been there.”

Collingwood had retired from the Test cricket in January to focus on the shorter format. He was stripped of the Twenty20 captaincy and also dropped from the 20-over and 50-over teams last year.

“I haven’t officially retired from one-dayers or Twenty20s but I think realistically, looking down the line, something extraordinary would have to happen for me to get back in the side,” Collingwood was recently quoted as saying.