HYDERABAD: Lady Luck played the Guardian Angel for Sachin and his mates during the high-voltage semifinal against Pakistan. Will she bat for them in Mumbai on Saturday? Hyderabadis are leaving no stone unturned to woo her to do an en core.
If some are sending prayers up to the heavens, others are wearing their “luck” on their sleeves, literally. A few superstitious fans are walking the extra mile, away from the telly, to prevent the “evil eye” from casting its “devilish spell” on the Men in Blue.
The ultra nationalist Bajrang Dal brigade is, of course, queing up in front of the temples.
They paid a visit to 45 Shiva temples in the twin cities on Friday.
P Hari, a techie, epitomises the cricket fever that has gripped the nation. “When I watch the match, India loses!,” he rues. So, he has made up his mind to resist the “fatal attraction” of the television on Saturday. He will be watching the highlights.
Anjali, a management professional, is not going that far.
She has washed and ironed her lucky blue t-shirt for the summit clash. And she is going to wear an equally lucky pair of ear rings. “I got many lucky breaks wearing a particular set of butterfly earrings.
I have worn them during a couple of interviews in which I was selected,” she claims. Quite a few are also placing bets, albeit on a modest scale, in their respective offices.
“I have put Rs 200 on India and another Rs 400 on behalf of two of my colleagues as well.
All my colleagues will be wearing their lucky clothes,” said Lakshmi Nair, another techie. She also wants to sit on the right side of the TV not to get a better view but as a “precautionary measure.” The Bajrang Dal members, who have been warned by the Jubilee Hills and SR Nagar police against taking out any rallies without prior permission, are nonetheless gearing up for the celebrations.
“We will do pujas in the morning. The Cup should come to India. Even though our boys were rounded up and interrogated following a rally after the win against Pakistan on Wednesday, we will celebrate in a big way when India wins in Mumbai,” said Bharat Vamsi, Bajrang Dal City convenor.