Ahmedabad has become a city of frenzy when Team India entered the city in advance of the fifth and final match of the T20 series against South Africa, which is to be held today at the historic Narendra Modi Stadium. The series on the line has also brought fans flooding into the city to the extent that they are chanting and waving banners, and thronging the streets around the stadium.
The series that is currently played between India and South Africa has been a hotly contested one that has left the cricket fans on the edge of their seats. India has gained a slight edge now, as the fourth match was called off because of the bad weather, and therefore, the current game is now the decisive one in the series. Both teams will have their best playing XI on the pitch, and this will create an atmosphere of a high-voltage game.
The reception of Team India was truly impressive as fans thronged outside the hotel where the team was supposed to stay to have a glimpse of their favourite players. The availability of star cricketers has increased the hype, and there is a great anticipation that the home side will perform well in front of a huge crowd. It will enjoy almost full house attendance at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the biggest cricket stadium in the world, which demonstrates the great popularity of the sport in the city.
The event organizers and local authorities have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the match will be conducted smoothly. The stadium and its environs have been intensified in security, and traffic advisories were issued to control the high flow of fans. Its metro services have also been expanded to ensure the fans who come to watch the match travel without any hassles.
The weather is likely to be favourable in Ahmedabad, and it will provide relief from the disruption caused by the fog in the last match. The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is known since time immemorial to favour batters, but fast bowlers might find some assistance during lights. Analysts reckon that the toss might be a very important factor, and the teams will tend to chase.
In the case of South Africa, the game is the chance to even the series and a high note finish, whereas in India, there will be a rush to get the series over at home and continue the momentum before other international matches. Both teams have already demonstrated brilliant performance in the series, and thus, the current encounter is unexpected and exciting.
With the first ball counted on, Ahmedabad has literally become cricket mad. Hotels and cafes, streets and stadium appearances, the atmosphere is at its highest level, and fans will enjoy an exciting evening of cricket, with India and South Africa fighting to the end of the series.
