Braving scorching sun, fans cheer Sunrisers

Hyderabad, May 1 (IANS):

The blazing sun did not deter cricket-crazy fans from turning up in huge numbers to watch the IPL action between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi international stadium here Wednesday.

Braving over 40 degree temperature, the fans filled the stands long before the match began at 4 p.m.

It was a full house as the tickets were sold out more than a week ago. Nearly 30,000 turned out to watch the contest between the home team, which has won all three matches played here this season, and the star-studded Mumbai Indians.

The holiday crowd, on account of Labour Day May 1, many of home who turned up to see Sachin Tendulkar play for one more time, were clearly disappointed with his early departure. The crowd lustily cheered two boundaries the little master in his short stay at the crease.

It was local boy Ambati Rayudu, playing for the rival team, and Dwayne Smith who provided some entertainment with a few boundaries in the low-scoring match. The West Indian hit both the sixes of MI innings.

The fans cheered every boundary hit by the home team in their chase of 130. Carrying the Sunrisers flags they showed their excitement when Shikhar Dhawan hit Mumbai Indians bowlers for boundaries. The southpaw thoroughly entertained the crowd with some big hitting.

The crowd was not entirely partisan as they also cheered some good fielding effort by Mumbai Indians players.

It was the first day-night match here. “I don’t know how people turned up in such large numbers in these hot conditions,” said a security officer, who was surprised to see the enthusiasm. He felt that matches should start at 8 p.m to escape the scorching sun.