A flag fest of joy before tense cricket

Madness at the 'G'. It's three hours before the game. There are dark clouds in the sky and a hundred thousand revellers, from two politically hostile neighbours far, far away from here, have taken complete control.

- Partha Bhaduri

Flags unfurl. banners roll. The chants begin. Drums roll. Those nimble-footed enough start dancing, others simply jump. The live band in the fan zone belts out 'Urvasi Urvasi'. "Take it easy, mate," a cop warns an Indian fan pushing and jostling past security. It's a full-blown carnival. The Shiva Food Centre is already running out of samosas.