Kolkata cricket fans finally got the opportunity to catch a close glimpse of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy at South City Mall on September 9 and 10. The trophy tour had kick-started across India on June 27. Earlier, in July, the trophy was exhibited at Modern High School but it was not open for public viewing. And on September 8, tennis icon Leander Paes and former India women’s cricket team captain Jhulan Goswami had unveiled the trophy at the Eden Gardens
All photographs by Soumyajit Dey
My Kolkata spotted friends from Behala, Arnab Pal, IT professional and Anirban Dhar, a final-year undergraduate student, in Indian jerseys. The ardent cricket fans got the news in the afternoon and hurried to South City Mall to catch a glimpse. Dhar said: “I was having my lunch when Arnab called me. I finished quickly and took out my jersey. Could not have missed this opportunity to get a picture with the trophy that our team is going to win again this time!” Sharing with us, Pal said, “The World Cup is a special feeling for cricket fans, so we had to come and see this”
Although not a cricket fan himself, Rishiv Ghosh, all of seven years, accompanied his father, Sayantan Ghosh, who has been a cricketer through his school and college life. Nodding a blatant ‘no’ to the question, ‘Are you a cricket fan?’, the boy looked up at his father. Ghosh, who is a businessman, told us: “I am an alumnus of South Point and have been playing cricket throughout my school and college days. I still play at the alumni matches. I love Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar but recently, I quite like Shubman Gill.” Ghosh is certain that India will win the trophy this time
Dragging his cricket fan mother Mohua Roy, Srijeet Roy of Tollygunge did not want to miss the opportunity to see the trophy. The mother-son duo, both fans of Virat Kohli, expressed their joy of getting clicked with the trophy. Mohua Roy said: “My son got the news about the trophy on display from social media and brought me here.” Srijeet said: “It is a wonderful feeling to see the trophy up close. I am hoping this comes back to us. The first few matches will help us to predict that!”
Love for cricket transcends all barriers of age and gender. The trio of a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter proved that exactly. Jhiki Banerjee from south Kolkata was at South City Mall with her daughter, Sayantony Patra and granddaughter, Aadhira Patra for Pujo shopping. But as soon as they got to know about the trophy event, they rushed to take a groupfie. Sayantony said: “My mother and daughter are cricket fans. Both of them now root for Virat Kohli. When they saw the trophy they jumped in joy.” Jhiki Banerjee exclaimed: “I have never seen a World Cup trophy from such close proximity!”
Amidst Pujo shopping, cricket fans and their accompanying friends and family stopped by to catch an exclusive glimpse of the trophy. Man Mohan Bagree, vice-president, South City Group, said, “South City Mall has always tried to promote all sorts of games, especially love for cricket amongst the patrons. We are really thankful to ICC and BCCI for choosing the mall to display the World Cup to Kolkatans. We have seen people coming from all over the city to witness and experience the trophy live and take photos with it”
