KOCHI: Up went a thousand cheers and a huge uproar reverberated the Kaloor Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Monday as the covers were removed from the pitch. The nearly 40,000 people, who gathered at the stadium to watch the Orange vs Yellow show, were the real winners of the day. And showing justice to the spirit and expectations of the fans, the Kochi Tuskers too rose to the occasion and presented them with a thumping victory by seven wickets. This is the team's first victory in the home ground and second consecutive win in a row.
Neglecting the thunderstorm and overcast, spectators flowed in big numbers in the evening to watch the second match of the Kochi Tuskers played against Chennai Super Kings on Monday.
After Mahela Jayawardhene winning the toss and electing to field, the moment of success for the supporters of the Kochi team came when Mike Hussey was given out caught behind the wicket. The joy of the fans did not last longer as Murali Vijay who was in good touch steadied the innings along with Suresh Raina. But it was Thisara Perera who brought the smiles back to the Kochi supporters' face.
He trapped Vijay, plumb in front in the eighth over. But the huge disappointment came at this juncture, as it started to rain by 8.45 p.m. The covers were brought to the field. But the crowd waited patiently, very much live and enthusiastic throughout their one-and-a-half-hour long wait. And it was by 10.20 p.m. that the match resumed and was reduced to 17 overs per side. And there was more for the home team fans to celebrate as their bowlers succeeded in restricting Chennai to 131 for 4.
In the gallery were actors Mohanlal, Lakshmi Rai, director Priyadarsan and actor Riyasen to back the Tuskers. Though the Tuskers enjoyed a tremendous ground support, a section of the spectators clad in Super Kings' yellow jersey added colour to the total atmosphere.
The World Cup-winning Indian captain M S Dhoni was given a warm welcome by the spectators.
Dhoni, who captains the Chennai side, ended the first innings in style, hitting a huge six of Jadeja over the mid wicket boundary in the last ball.