While the one-off Test match between India and Afghanistan ended in three days, it was a treat to hear some cheer from the stands on Monday afternoon at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium.
After covering a long distance in nearly three hours, around 1,000-odd government school students from Barnala were brought here to have once-in-a-lifetime experience of cheering the Indian team, which came out heavily on Afghanistan.
The kids were specially driven from Barnala, which happens to be the birth place of Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) general secretary Gurmeet Meet Hayer, a two-time MLA from the same area, and now Sangrur MP, despite hot weather conditions to enjoy the match. Majority of them were in the stadium for the first time, and ensured that they enjoyed it to the fullest. Throughout the Test match, a thin presence of crowd had made the headlines across the country, raising questions over conducting a Test in June here.
Meanwhile, the Sangrur MP, along with father of Indian captain Shubhman Gill, Lakhwinder Singh Gill, enjoyed the match with the students for a while from the Yuvraj Singh stand. The 1,100 students of School of Eminence, Barnala, and various government schools were very excited and cheered for the home team with a never-ending and deafening applause at regular intervals.
Hayer while welcoming the students on behalf of the PCA, averred that it was a big occasion for them to see the cricketers in action. Among others present on the occasion included the district manager (sports), Barnala, Simardeep Singh and school incharges. “It is for the first time that I watched a cricket match live from the stands of this stadium,” said Khushi, a student, who asked his teacher to click dozens of pictures to show it to her parents.
The students could have enjoyed the match more, but it ended half-way through the third day after the Indian team registered their biggest ever win. “While I was enjoying the match from the front row of the stands, I caught the attention of Kuldeep Yadav, and he waved back at me. It was so amazing to watch an Indian cricketer from so close,” said Parminder, a student.
Even the players in the field were enjoying the little presence in the stands after two days of nearly dull show. The match happened to be the first-ever Test hosted at this venue, though it was not part of the World Test Championship. “I just came to learn that I witnessed the first-ever Test match hosted here. No one from my family had ever been to a stadium. I wish to play like this representing the Indian team one day,” said Atish, maintaining that he is fond of playing football as well.
“It was a pleasant few hours with fellow students enjoying cricket. I do follow the IPL, but Test matches are something for which one needs patience. I hope the stadium hosts more Test matches,” said Akahdeep, another student.
