Fan fare in store

Kochi: Cricket fans in the state are looking for ward to a fantabulous Thursday as Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium gears up for the ODI against West Indies.

Equally loved by the cricketers and fans, the huge stadium would sure pep up the frenzy as it was witnessed when India beat West Indies by 127 runs in the last match held at the venue in January .

“It was a tremendous experience last time. The ambience inside the stadium is something that cannot be explained. It should be felt. Nowhere else could we get a feeling like that,“ says Abhilash Jose, a designer who was in the stadium for the last ODI.

“People in Kerala love sports. Whether it is football or cricket, they will find time to spare for any major event. So I think that's why even Indian team members have showed fondness to play here. The crowd gives the home team a huge psychological edge,“ opined Abhilash, who has already pocketed his ticket for the match.

“Several fans from Malappuram have also gone f to watch the match. Though Sachin will be missed dearly , watching Dhoni, Kohli and s Ashwin will be a major l attraction. Though the place is famous for football, the . people here have a special liking to cricket. We are also sending our academy players for the match as we did last time when s England visited Kochi,“ says Perinthalmanna Cricket Association secretary C. Pradeep s Kumar.

However, some fans have decided not to attend the match, protesting BCCI's decision to slap a life ban on Sreesanth.

“We love crick et and we are sad because a Kochi player has been shown an ignominious exit. So I have decided not to go for the match. Some of my friends will be going for the match and will show solidarity to the Kerala cricketer at the stadium,“ said Aby Mathew, a cricket fan in Kochi.
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