Cricket stars, selfies, security slips: Punjab vs Haryana thriller in Hyderabad draws 10,000 fans

The Hyderabad leg of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, over the first three match days, had managed to draw a sparse crowd at both the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and the Gymkhana Ground here. But Tuesday’s Baroda vs Punjab clash had enough excitement to draw fans, both casual and faithful, in large numbers. Two superstars locking horns, a seasoned all-rounder making his comeback from injury, and a Sunrisers Hyderabad connection helped create a rousing atmosphere with over 10,000 fans in attendance.

While the security was beefed up in anticipation of the same, a few fans managed to make their way to the pitch multiple times. First, for a selfie with Baroda’s Hardik Pandya, who even made sure the fan got the opportunity to take a prized picture before being escorted off the field, promptly leading the stands to chant his name in delight.

Hardik Pandya stops a security guard from escorting a fan away during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy clash between Baroda and Punjab at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. GIRI

A few overs later, another managed to get a hug and a selfie with Punjab and SRH star batter Abhishek Sharma, with two more later repeating the entire process like clockwork with Hardik. All of it left players and coaches bemused, the stands cheering loudly and the organisers running helter-skelter, perhaps, over the lapses.

On the cricketing front, ‘local’ boy Abhishek’s imperious form with the willow continued with a 19-ball 50. That combined with Anmolpreet Singh’s 32-ball 69 helped Punjab set a 223-run target to win. Baroda, powered by Hardik’s unbeaten 77, chased it down with five balls to spare.