Every few minutes, the wandering mind would be jolted out of a reverie as the wait for India’s under-19 stars grew longer. There was cheering, whistling, catcalls, the works.

These weren’t greetings for the young World Cup winners though. Instead, the centre of attention was directed far, far away, to the Gabba in Brisbane. Team India, the big boys, were in the middle of a tense battle, and even the airport was not spared the excitement.

Every Australian wicket was celebrated with religious fervour, as those waiting rushed to the nearest television set. “Under-19 ko bhool jaao,” laughed one of those waiting for the boys to emerge, as he rushed to join fellow fanatics in front of the TV.

And just as the waiting was beginning to assume Godot-esque proportions, came the loudest cheer of all. James Hopes was caught by Piyush Chawla off the bowling of Irfan Pathan. It happened hundreds of miles away, but the noise reached a crescendo.

Contrived excitement?

The real reason for all the waiting, though, was the arrival of the under-19 team.

The crowd was more mediapersons than fans, and though some men on bikes with flags and confetti-holders arrived to add numbers, spontaneity was not the flavour of the afternoon.

Another tempo arrived, holding a dozen cheerleaders at the back — in full uniform, pompoms in hand. They tried their best to get the crowd excited, and the music played its part, but it was never going to be enough.

... contd.