The city based loyalty in sports is no more in fashion. You can be a Manchester United fan sitting in Chennai. You don’t have to be physically in Manchester to support your favourite team.
Similarly, when the Royal Challengers Bangalore take on the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL eliminator at the MCA stadium on Wednesday, even the Pune crowd will get a chance to throw their weight behind their favourite teams.
With some of the stars like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Mitchell Starc strengthening the Bangalore outfit, the fans will have a plenty on their plate to cheer about.
The Royals can also boast of a star like Steve Smith, who came into prominence from this venue only while playing for Pune Warriors (now a defunct team).
He is expected to get a few supporters screaming at the top of their voices. Even the Australian star performers like Shane Watson and James Faulkner are keenly followed in Pune.
Earlier, Pune spectators have already admired a team like the Kings XI Punjab, who made the MCA stadium their home ground for three matches. Those matches were played in front a packed stadium and so the all-important game of the IPL is expected to be another full house.
What else is in store for the fans? There will be a plenty of four and sixes for sure. There will be a plenty of highs and lows to keep them on the edge of their seats.
This is phenomenon, which is not only restricted to one city, even a Kolkata is expected to be full house during the IPL final despite the Knight Riders not making it to the play-offs. This is how the game is and this is how the fans celebrate these big matches!
