Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 3 (IANS) The Saturday night fever in Kolkata after Team India’s cricket World Cup triumph stretched to Sunday morning as motorcycle borne youngsters roamed the streets, waving the Indian flag, and people crowded tea stalls and street corners, animatedly discussing the heroic feat of the Men in Blue.

“What a game they played! They showed ice-cool temperament when faced with a challenging total,” said T.P. Dutta, a private banker.

Groups of youngsters were seen riding cycles and motorbikes, shouting slogans and hailing the cricketers who won the coveted trophy after a gap of 28 years with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final at Mumbai Saturday.

Sunday saw excited discussions about the game as also the comparative greatness of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his predecessor, local boy Sourav Ganguly.

The debate has been fuelled by the leading Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika which described Dhoni as India’s greatest ever skipper, a tag that was till now reserved for Ganguly, at least in Kolkata and rest of West Bengal.

“The way Dhoni kept his cool to play the marvelous innings has made his position supreme in Indian cricket. Undoubtedly, he is India’s greatest captain,” said former Bengal skipper Deep Dasgupta.

On Saturday, Kolkatans had taken to the streets, beating drums and cymbals and lighting firecrackers to celebrate India’s win.

Thousands of firecrackers exploded in city, lighting up the night sky. From youngsters to the elderly, from street corners to pubs, there was no stopping anyone, anywhere.

Actors of the Bengali film industry and politicians, irrespective of their political colour, also joined in the celebrations.

Giant screens had been put up at several points in city, including various shopping malls, and attracted huge crowds who lustily cheered the Indian team.