Thousands of sleepless flag-waving fans sporting blue India jerseys clogged roads outside the world's biggest cricket stadium early Sunday, too excited to sleep as excitement built ahead of the World Cup final.
Drivers honked at fans blocking roads, shouting slogans and bargaining with roadside hawkers hours before the Sunday afternoon finale between the cricket-crazy hosts and the game's traditional powerhouse Australia.
The buzz had reached its crescendo at least 24 hours before the big match and with three and half hours to go before the start of the most awaited World Cup final, an ocean of blue seemed to be travelling towards Motera.
Fans wearing the India jersey, carrying the Indian flag, laughing, joking, and anticipating a win in the epic India vs Australia match moved towards the Narendra Modi stadium in throngs. There are families, friends, children, adults, teenagers, middle-aged and senior citizens. Together, they have painted the city blue.
Media reports said that many desperate fans had even approached some local religious institutions to stay overnight at their subsidised dormitories for devout pilgrims before the game.
Others lit candles, offering prayers for the success of their beloved team.
"This feels like a big festival... with families and friends out on the roads in a celebratory mood," said Suresh Raval, 34, a local resident outside the stadium.
Confident that India, who are still unbeaten in the tournament, would trounce Australia, Raval said that he and his friend were "finding it hard to sleep" and felt "really lucky to get two tickets for the game".
While he refused to reveal what he'd paid for the two "priceless tickets", many fans have reportedly paid 10 to 20 times the cheapest ticket's listed price to attend the title clash.
"All these expenses -- from flights to hotels to the stadium tickets -- wouldn't pinch a bit if India performs well and win the title," said Vijay Kumar, a fan from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
Kumar said that "it felt so good" to see fans also wearing blue India jerseys crowding his flight to Ahmedabad on Saturday.
"But this atmosphere outside the stadium already feels so much better," he added outside the stadium's main entry gate.
"We are still many hours away from the start of the match but it feels so festive. Everyone here shares the same hope and nervous excitement."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be joined at the game by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
(With inputs from agencies)
Read more: World Cup 2023: Indian cricket team leaves for Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Watch
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