Deep pockets and luck: What it took to get into the stands

Ayush, 19, is wheelchair-bound. He struggles as he names his favourite cricketer Virat Kohli. But it is in cricket that he finds spirit. His father, a gynecologist in Ahmedabad, escorted him to keep their date with the most anticipated match of this ODI World Cup.

- Rasesh Mandani

Tickets? "God is kind. I know a few people who helped," says Dr. Rajan. As he traverses through a sea of supporters in blue, the security guards help to clear their passage inside the stadium.

Then there are those like Ritesh, several hundreds of them who don't have a ticket to get into the stadium. Before the first ball is bowled, as Shankar Mahadevan sings 'Suno gaur se duniyawalon' inside, they have crowded the entry gates in the hope that someone with a valid ticket may be there to make a quick buck. Many don't even know tickets are not sold over the counter anymore. A few locals get lucky while most others turn away empty-handed.

So, who are the estimated 100,000-plus fans that witnessed India boost their impregnable record against Pakistan to 8-0 at ODI World Cups? What really represents the cricket-crazy India sponsors want to woo by splashing big dollars for brand recall?