One billion Indians woke up with pounding hearts on Saturday in anticipation of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men ending the nation's 28-year wait for the World Cup title.
Some of the lucky 33,000 spectators who possess a ticket for the all-Asian final between India and co-hosts Sri Lanka headed straight to the Wankhede Stadium seven hours before
the first ball is bowled to ensure they do not miss out on even one second of the day's drama -- which could include Sachin Tendulkar scoring his 100th international century.
In case the Indian team needed any reminders to what the country was expecting from them, they were greeted with newspaper headlines such as "A nation holds its breath".
Those who could not beg, borrow or steal a ticket to the ground, changed the batteries in their TV remote and set the day's agenda around the contest. Even major hospitals in Mumbai installed large screens so that staff who want to follow the action do not call in sick.
Mumbai has been transformed into a fortress with anti-aircraft guns placed at strategic locations, navy boats patrolling the coastline and elite security agencies completing the dragnet in the city which was targeted by militants in 2008.
The air-space above the stadium has been declared a no-fly zone and International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar advised spectators to enter the stadium before the VIPs -- including presidents of both the nations -- start arriving.
A group of seven friends was stuck in traffic for more than two hours after flying in from Delhi on Saturday morning, having shelled out 417,000 rupees between them for their tickets which added up to a total face value of 35,000 rupees.
Fans were having to pass through multiple security posts and were allowed to take in their mobile phones, flags and banners.
Some of the lucky 33,000 spectators who possess a ticket for the all-Asian final between India and co-hosts Sri Lanka headed straight to the Wankhede Stadium seven hours before
the first ball is bowled to ensure they do not miss out on even one second of the day's drama -- which could include Sachin Tendulkar scoring his 100th international century.
In case the Indian team needed any reminders to what the country was expecting from them, they were greeted with newspaper headlines such as "A nation holds its breath".
Those who could not beg, borrow or steal a ticket to the ground, changed the batteries in their TV remote and set the day's agenda around the contest. Even major hospitals in Mumbai installed large screens so that staff who want to follow the action do not call in sick.
Mumbai has been transformed into a fortress with anti-aircraft guns placed at strategic locations, navy boats patrolling the coastline and elite security agencies completing the dragnet in the city which was targeted by militants in 2008.
The air-space above the stadium has been declared a no-fly zone and International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar advised spectators to enter the stadium before the VIPs -- including presidents of both the nations -- start arriving.
A group of seven friends was stuck in traffic for more than two hours after flying in from Delhi on Saturday morning, having shelled out 417,000 rupees between them for their tickets which added up to a total face value of 35,000 rupees.
Fans were having to pass through multiple security posts and were allowed to take in their mobile phones, flags and banners.
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