By IANS,
New Delhi : It’s a special weekend! Come Saturday, many Indians plan to slouch on their couches or go to a theatre or restaurant to watch the India-Sri Lanka World Cup final, but Sunday’s plans have mostly been kept on hold until the game is over.
“If India wins, it is going to be a party whole of Saturday night till Sunday morning. So I guess, I will end up waking up in the evening on Sunday. But if India loses, which I hope it doesn’t, I will go back home and sleep after the match,” said Nikhil Jhingon, a Delhi-based musician, who plans to watch the match with a group of friends at a pub.
A majority is confident that India will bring home the World Cup, and repeat the 1983 success story.
For many, the final clash is also an occasion for a reunion with family or friends, which might even extend till Sunday if India gets the trophy.
“It’s great that the final match is on a Saturday because I will be off work. So I have organised a get together with my friends. We will be cheering together for the Indian team. It will be a lot of fun. We might meet up again on Sunday to celebrate India’s win,” said 32-year-old Poonam Sharma, an HR professional.
Similarly, Kaveri Bhatt, a housewife, is looking forward to the match because it will give her a rare chance to see her two children at home.
“My children always run away on weekends to be with their friends and enjoy, and on weekdays they are busy with work. So I will be more than happy to see them watch the match with their father, and I am planning to cook up a yummy meal for them,” she said.
“My kids have decided to call their friends over on Sunday for lunch if India wins, so there will be a lot of hustle-bustle at home,” she added.
Some youngsters plan to hit pubs and restaurants, where there are special offers and huge LCD screens. If India wins, they plan to take off to nearby weekend spots to raise a toast Sunday.
“Saturday night we will party in the same pub where we will watch the match. We are a group of 10-12 and we will be cheering for India. If India wins the match, we will go to Pali Village (in Thane, Maharashtra) Sunday morning, and relax!” said Navjot Kaur, a Mumbai-based public relations professional.
Asked what if India doesn’t win, she said: “Nahi haarega! Fixed hai ((India won’t lose! It’s fixed!)”
Apar Mathur, a doctor, said his friends are planning a rally across Jaipur for India’s win.
“We are not even thinking that India will lose. We are not going to lose. India will have to win. And then, rally nikalenge sab milke India ke flag ke saath all over Jaipur (we are planning a rally all across Jaipur, where we will hold up the Indian flag). The weekend is going to rock,” he said.
Confidence is at its peak with 24-year-old Vivek Mangipudi, who said: “Look, if you want my views of the game, India is morally tougher with big wins. So it is India that’s going to win. It is easy. I know it. No need to complicate and hype it. We are winning, that’s it!”
He will watch final on Saturday, but hasn’t decided anything about Sunday.