Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, May 9: For the second time in five years, fans in Lucknow were left disappointed as star cricketer Virat Kohli remained unseen at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium after Friday's IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru was postponed. The BCCI suspended the ongoing tournament for a week amid escalating tensions and security concerns, leaving thousands of cricket lovers heartbroken.
The match, scheduled to start at 7:30 pm, was halted abruptly by the BCCI around 1 pm, citing the need for a comprehensive reassessment in consultation with authorities. A large crowd gathered outside the stadium hoping for a last-minute reversal, only to return home chanting slogans like “Pakistan Murdabad” and “Indian Army Zindabad.”
Fans from across regions including Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Muzaffarpur in Bihar, and even neighbouring Nepal shared a common sentiment: disappointment mingled with patriotism. “We are sad we couldn’t see Kohli, but for us, the country always comes first,” said Tabrez, a fan. Another, Rashid, added, “I waited a month for this moment, but if the match is off for national security, I have no complaints.”
However, the impact wasn't limited to fans alone. Nearly 30-40 street vendors selling merchandise and food near the stadium suffered major losses. Sukant Banerjee, who travelled from West Bengal and sold Kohli and RCB-themed merchandise, said, “I sold items worth ?13,000 yesterday alone and was expecting a huge sale today, but everything crashed.”
Similarly, Satya from Tamil Nadu, despite the financial hit, expressed his solidarity with national interests. “If the country is safe, business can bounce back. I support our army and government.”
Food vendors, too, faced spoilage and financial loss. “I invested in raw materials and now can’t even access my stuff inside the stadium,” lamented Rajkumar, who was among many locked out after the postponement.
The abrupt suspension brought back memories of March 2020, when an ODI between India and South Africa was cancelled due to Covid-19, also after teams had arrived in Lucknow.
As fans now await further announcements from the BCCI, one sentiment echoes across Lucknow — disappointment, yes, but also unshaken pride in the nation.