Is the Women's World Cup Final at DY Patil Stadium Truly Unforgettable?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- DY Patil Stadium hosted a sold-out crowd for the Women's World Cup Final.
- India faced South Africa in a historic match.
- Fans showed incredible dedication despite rain interruptions.
- The event highlighted the growth and popularity of women's cricket.
- Previous attendance records were likely broken.
Navi Mumbai, Nov 2 (NationPress) As the Indian women's cricket team took to the field for their inaugural home final of the ODI World Cup, the DY Patil Stadium witnessed a full house, with the hosts competing against South Africa, who were making their final debut this Sunday.
The excitement surrounding the final escalated dramatically following India's remarkable win against Australia in the semi-finals, where the Women in Blue achieved a record chase, driven by an outstanding unbeaten 127 from Jemimah Rodrigues. Her thrilling partnership of 167 runs with captain Harmanpreet Kaur set the stage for a spectacular victory.
This win significantly heightened interest in the final, leading to a substantial demand for tickets.
In response, the International Cricket Council (ICC) displayed a banner at the main entrance of the DY Patil Stadium declaring the match as “sold out”. To further underline this, the global governing body also shared a message on social media confirming that no seats were available at the venue.
What was truly remarkable about the enthusiastic crowd was their resolve to attend despite the persistent rain. They endured the weather, patiently waiting for two hours for the toss, which was postponed due to intermittent rain and a wet outfield.
Fortunately, the match commenced at the right time, avoiding the loss of any overs.
The rain did not hinder the crowd's enthusiasm and spirit, with fans flocking in large numbers, likely setting new attendance records. The audience cheered for the ground staff whenever they came on to clear the pitch covers, with the loudest cheers reserved for the Indian team during their warm-up after the initial delay. An even bigger ovation was given to Jemimah Rodrigues when she stepped onto the pitch with the score at 104/1 in the 18th over.
The previous record at the stadium stood at 34,651 attendees during the second semi-final between India and Australia. The stadium has a total capacity of 45,000.
This match serves as an excellent showcase for women's cricket, featuring two teams that have yet to secure the title, both vying to become the new world champions.