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Udupi : Like Indians everywhere, Udupians are gearing up for the supergame: the India-Sri Lanka World Cup final to be held at Mumbai’s historic Wankhede stadium today.

Already in a positive, joyful mood after India’s fabulous win over Pakistan at Mohali on Wednesday, the people have made their plans for watching the final clash, for which our country are billed as the favourites.

Many individuals already have visited temples to pray for an India victory. Many are planning to do it today  morning.

Cinemas are expected to have few bookings if at all, and some popular restaurants are planning to screen the World Cup final live at their establishments.

As it is, the day being Saturday, many have decided to set aside half the day only to watch this game.

Even non-enthusiasts have been afflicted by the cricket bug, for why should they be left out of the sheer joy a cricket match with all its warts and whistels bring.

Of course, for cricket enthusiasts, like the present head of the Udupi Shri Krishna Math, their joy will know no boundaries. Paryaya Shri Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Math has announced than 10,000 laddoos will be distributed in the event of an India victory. And being positive on the outcome, work to prepare the sweets have already commenced.

A known cricket enthusiast, according to those close to him, the swamiji had arranged for a giant LCD screen in the Math precincts for a large number of fans to watch the semi-final on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s semi-final itself did not get any lesser billing that the match for the ultimate crown itself: People celebrated India’s win with bursting of crackers.

Manipal too saw students from all over India celebrating at restaurants, bars and pubs that dot the university town; their glee at the victory over Pakistan could barely be disguised.

Echoing sentiments of a large number of Indians, Joseph Paul, a student in Manipal, said that he was not worried about the result of the WC final, but the victory over Pakistan itself was good, if not better, than the World Cup itself.

A leading jeweller of Byndoor has announced that he will present his own version of the cup to every cricket fan’s idol Sachin Tendulkar: A 500-mg replica in gold in case India wins.

A die-hard fan of Sachin, Mayyadi Raghavendra Shet runs his jewelley business at Chincholi.

Incidentally, Sachin is a devout Hindu and had visited Dakshina Kannada’s famous Kukke Subramanya temple a few years back to perform several religious rituals. He performed sarpa samskara, ashlesha bali and nagapratishte — all relating to worship of the snake God — besides go pooja (worship of cow) during his two-day visit.

media sources