Vaihayasi Pande Daniel from Shivaji Park
At this legendary cradle of Indian cricket, and along the route from here to Haji Ali, the roads have been taken over by school and college children, drums and cymbals and tambourines crashing in a non stop beat of victory and joy.
But never mind the young -- old ladies, who seem barely able to stand, are braving the rains to wave at the team bus.
A bunch of footballers, dressed in their uniforms, have interrupted their morning practice to line the road outside Shivaji Park and cheer heroes from another game.
Cellphones are ubiquitous -- everyone holds his or her phone overhead, hoping to snag the perfect shot.
At several places along the road, offices are "open" only in name; the entire staff of banks and other commercial establishments are out on the road. Their customers don't seem to mind, because they are right there alongside the employees, excitedly updating each other about the progress of the cavalcade, recalling moments from the final and rooting for their favorite players.
As the suspense mounts, any vehicle that passes by is cheered -- including, to his surprise, a bloke passing on a bicycle.
The cavalcade of 50-odd police motorcycles preceding the team bus has moved a good five kms ahead of the team bus, and as they pass, even they get a cheer.
Dhoni is clearly the favorite -- it is his name they chant, like a mantra to a young, fearless India.
The police have been magnificient. Having worked round the clock yesterday to ensure that the Ganesh immersion went off in orderly fashion, they have now turned out to help smooth the path of the cricket team -- and for all their tiredness, they are in indulgent mood, allowing the fans to get quiteclose to the bus.
As the bus passes, young fans jump on their motorcyles and peel off after them, forming a constantly lengthening 'tail' to the bus.
Photograph: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel
Twenty20 World Championship
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