All those who came to enjoy cricket at the Chinnaswamy stadium went home completely and more satisfied, and mentally drained, after the nail-biting India-England match. And then, to get out of the stadium even after the press conference was also tough because over 40,000 had gathered to watch the match.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA)managed to give away tickets hoping that the people who got tickets by the quota system may not turn up and they did not. Eventually, all those who waited outside the stadium fearing police lathi charge managed to get in, though a bit late.

Inside the stadium, while approaching the media box, a group of young girls were seen waving at the Indian team bus. They had T-shirts on with the words: "Until I see God, I will settle with Sachin Tendulkar."

Happiest man

After the match, some of the spectators refused to get out of their seats. "Thank God I did not get a heart attack," said a 50-year-old man seated near the press box.

Another fan sitting next to him, who was also carrying a Tendulkar poster, said: "I am the happiest man on earth today. I am convinced there is no game like cricket and there is no cricketer like Sachin."

Shyam Bhatia, the patron of the Dubai Cricket Council, was among the special invitees of the association. He was seated in the president's box next to KSCA President Anil Kumble. On Bhatia's invitation, I spent some time in this VVIP box filled with some celebrities like Bollywood film star Deepika Padukone, and Bangalore Royal Challengers owner Vijay Mallya.

A large number of England team fans are here too. The Barmy Army, as they are known, were seated in a particular area of the ground. I happened to meet some of them after the match. One of them said: "Had Stuart Broad played, we would have won the match; unfortunately for his love for Japanese food." It seems Broad landed with a bad stomach after eating Sushi, a Japanese dish, from one of the restaurants here. Interestingly, just to imitate the Barmy army, a group of Indians fans sat with a banner calling themselves Bharat (India) army.

Feeling the buzz

Even as I walked out of the hotel to take my flight to Chennai, to take my connection to Colombo, I could feel the buzz of the match around. Spotting a bunch of airlines tickets with me, the man at the airport counter while issuing my boarding pass, said: "I took my sick leave and watched the match yesterday. Today I feel so fresh and happy. In fact, I would have been sick had I missed such a thriller."