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World Cup PHOTOS: India fans swarm MCG on Super Sunday!

By Rediff Sports Desk
February 22, 2015 19:17 IST

With hoards of Indian fans storming the Melbourne Cricket Ground, you could be forgiven for mistaking it to be the Eden Gardens. Bouyed by the vociferous crowd, India thrashed South Africa by 130 runs to break their World Cup jinx on Sunday.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground was decorated with clever posters by fans on Sunday. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Images

As an Indian, the Melbourne Cricket ground was a sight to see! Dressed in hues of saffron, white and green the biggest cricket stadium in the world saw an unprecedented Indian presence.

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In front of a heaving crowd of 86,000, opener Shikhar Dhawan struck a sparkling 137 and Ajinkya Rahane an explosive 79 to fire India to a mammoth 307-7 and ensure their opponents would need a record chase at the stadium to win.

Indian fans in the crowd cheer and shout slogans on Sunday. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Riding on another strong batting display powered by Dhawan's strokeful century, India crushed South Africa by a massive 130 runs to beat them for the first time in World Cup history.

That was one big reason for fans to dance in the isles.

 

Fans click a selfie at the MCG on Sunday.

So, while everyone's focus was on the game, others used the opportunity to take a quick selfie and freeze the moment for posterity.

And it wasn't just fans who were on a selfie spree. India batting legend, Sachin Tendulkar, who is the global ambassador of this edition of the World Cup, dropped by at the MCG to support the Indian cricket team.  The Master Blaster happily waved out to the crowds and clicked a couple of selfies himself.

Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan takes a selfie after India beat South Africa. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Images

And the selfie spree didn't end at there. Man-of-match Shikhar Dhawan also grabbed a quick opportunity to take a selfie after the presentation ceremony following India's win.

Dhawan and Team India's clinical demolition of the Proteas didn't go unnoticed as compliments came from all around. Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was the first to congratulate the team, saying, "The India Team truly deserved the victory. It was a true team effort. The Indians batted well and their running between the wickets was exceptionally fast. The bowlers bowled well from the beginning and the wickets at regular intervals kept the pressure building. The team also managed to get some crucial run-outs," Sonowal said in a statement.

A fans has a special message for India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Images

"Overall it was a brilliant team effort and with these two important wins, the team would be beaming with confidence.
I once again congratulate MS Dhoni for brilliantly leading the team and I wish them good luck for their future games," he added.

So let's continue backing our 'Boys in Blue' while they work hard to produce some good results in return!

Rediff Sports Desk

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