Cricket lovers take heat in stride with hats, sunscreen & chilled lemonade
Times of India | 9 April 2025
Kolkata: Despite the punishing sun and oppressive humidity, thousands of cricket fans swarmed Eden Gardens on Tuesday to witness a crucial match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The home team fell short by a mere 4 runs after a spirited chase of a massive target set by the visitors.
Armed with hats, sunglasses, disposable water bottles, and sheer passion, fans devised their own survival strategies to battle the brutal heat on Tuesday. They cheered KKR, which remained in the game until the third last ball of the match while chasing a target of 239 runs. Many sported light-coloured outfits, breathable fabrics, and protective scarves, transforming Eden Gardens into a sea of sun-safe supporters.
Joyita Chakraborty, a homemaker from Jadavpur, was spotted in a queue outside Eden Gardens sporting a half-sleeve cotton kurti and washing her face with a bottle of cold water. "It was extremely hot weather, but I was at Eden Gardens with all necessary protection, including a hat, sunglasses, a scarf, and lots of sunscreen. However, it was a great game we witnessed. KKR fell just short of the target, but it was a thoroughly entertaining match," said Chakraborty, flashing a wide smile while waving a KKR flag.
Equally upbeat was Raja Sen from Salt Lake, who turned up at the stadium clad in a T-shirt and a pair of half pants. "I always dress according to the weather and occasion. This is the best way we can enjoy an outdoor game in this summer," he said.
Spectators began arriving as early as 1 pm, right when the discomfort level had peaked. Vendors outside Eden Gardens did brisk business, selling everything from chilled lemonade and soft drinks to water pouches and ice cream. By the end of the evening, lakhs of water pouches were consumed — a testament to both the harsh weather and the fans' determination.
Originally slated for Sunday, the match was rescheduled due to Ram Navami celebrations — but that didn't stop die-hard supporters from turning up in full force. Yet, the soaring temperatures did cause some to backtrack. Tickets flooded Facebook Marketplace and other resale platforms, including social media sites, as the less heat-hardy fans opted out.
Aruni Basu, a techie posted in Siliguri, was heartbroken to part with his tickets. "When I booked online, the match was on a Sunday, and I didn't think it would get this hot. I didn't get leave, and travelling that far in the heat with my kids didn't seem wise," he said.
Cricket buffs and college students Sujan Rana and Mosharraf Ali from Murshidabad were pleasantly surprised to snag last-minute tickets from two men who had opted out and sold the Rs 900 tickets at a discounted rate. "We couldn't get tickets online and were searching everywhere. Someone was selling them as they couldn't handle the weather — lucky for us. We witnessed a great match."