MI v RCB ..... FROM THE STANDS

I always wondered what's so special about watching a game from the stands. I mean television gives you everything stats, replays, commentary etc... What more could any cricket lover ask for? Everything is at your fingertips.
Now, after going for a game I realize all these things don't matter at all. The noise you make, the shots you see first hand, the effort you put in trying to pick up the ball when Dale Steyn bowls it .... and of course the cheer leaders if they are right in front of your stand. As a biased MI supporter Brabourne was the place to be last night, unbelievable atmosphere. From the time you watched JP Duminy, Ryan Mclaren, Fernando practising .... to the time when the crowd roared when the MASTER came in .... and all this before the first ball was even bowled.
I was lucky to witness Sachin and Kallis batting, both are truly great players. While other players HIT the ball, these guys were CARESSING it. As if to say 'Cricket! simple game, ain't it?'
Now I know why crowds all over the world is disappointed to see Sachin out. Every ball he struck was magic. You just wished for more and more. If he hit the ball for four then a player was moved to that spot. Next ball, same shot .... but the ball has gone to the fielder's original spot, Amazing!!!
I didn't witness Sachin's straight drive, but then I saw Kallis. The speed at which the ball leaves the bat is unbelievable. People beside were saying 'I can't spot the ball'. While I'm saying follow the ball from the bat else you've missed the magic.
We got to see some other magical things too like Uthappa's six out of the ground, Tare's square cut was a rocket to the boundary, Sachin's 3 flicks of his hip ... but these are not the things that stick in my mind. Things which I still vividly recollect are:
1. Dale Steyn is fast .... As much as I tried I could track the path of the ball when it left his hand. (And I was having a side view) I could track Malinga, Zaheer, Kallis but not Steyn. That was a sight which you don't get on the TV
2. Dravid's one hand stunner .... I was lucky that both the great catches (Dravid's and Malinga's) were at my end. When the ball left Sathish's bat we all thought ok, one run. But Dravid is scrambling ... surely this 30+ oldie won't make it .. Morgan will back it up ... He's streching but naah .... Oh my God! What a stunner!!!! I can't explain this fully to be honest.
3. Waiting for the 3rd umpire's decision is an experience for the crowd ... You don't have the replay, you only wait ... and wait ... and wait ... And when the opposition player is out the stadium erupts!! And what a throw!!
4. The dives they put at backward point are not easy .... The ball is actually too fast, you have a split second to make that dive. That's why Jonty was special. I wonder how it would be to watch him from the stands.
Finally, I have to mention the cheer leaders. They were stunning to say the least. After the fall of every MI wicket, we would put our heads down. But, these were RCB cheerleaders they would come on .... and well life would be beautiful again. But honestly, Sachin's wicket was the most depressing moment. Even when Pollard hit a six later, you just said, 'Hmm good ... But nah! Sachin for a second time please!!!'
Last night's excitement is wearing off slowly, but I'll never forget it. Surely this won't be the last time I go to watch a match, another T20 maybe 50 over would be too exhausting. But, I pray to go to Old Trafford now :) Well one can't stop dreaming about it now, can they? Especially if there's a will to chase it ;)