Twenty students, who are members of AIESEC, watched the IPL match from the Sakal Media Group’s Corporate box on Sunday

Pune: While the cricketing extravaganza of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kickstarted in the city on Sunday, the Sakal Media Group as a part of the Tanishka Junior Forum initiative, provided a gala treat to a group of 20 students, who are members of non-profit student organisation, AIESEC. AIESEC member students were invited by Sakal Media Group to watch the T-20 game between Pune Warriors India v/s Kings XI Punjab from the corporate box at the Subrata Roy Sahara stadium in Gahunje. Even though mid-way through the match, the game proved to be a dead rubber but every boundary and wicket was cheered by the AIESEC members. For most of the students, it was an experience of a lifetime, watching a match live for the first time.

“I was on cloud nine when we received the invite from the Sakal Media Group to watch the match live. Although I don’t follow cricket closely but the energy and enthusiasm to watch the game as a part of a Tanishka Junior Forum is enriching” said Shamim Akhtar, TYBA, Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce.

The group which made it to the venue in the early afternoon witnessed a gallery of stars at the stadium. Even though Yuvraj Singh missed out on the game, which proved to be a dampner and the match turned out to be a one-way affair but the guest students made most of the opportunity. The star power, music and colorful setting at the stadium enthralled the students as they got up-close and personal with a star packed gallery right next to the coveted corporate box enclosure.

“This is purely cricket weds entertainment and ‘cricketainment’ at its best. I am glad that the Tanishka Junior Forum comes from a media house which is so deep rooted in the city” said Vishesh Dora, a student of Bhartiya Vidyapeeth Law College, Kothrud.

The group of students from AIESEC hosted by the Sakal Media Group at the IPL outing, stood out at the corporate box as most of the guest students came dressed in the colours of the home team. Even though, it was a disappointing performance by the home team but every single run produced and every wicket taken by the Pune Warriors was cheered by the students.

“The atmosphere and the excitement is brilliant and the cheering by the crowd is unbelievable. Getting to see so many young cricket enthusiasts together is a great experience,” said Nikhil Ghaisas, a photography student from Camshot Academy.

The players of both the teams sweated it out at the centre but the guest students, who had the luxury to watch the match from the air-conditioned enclosure, made most of the opportunity. While many of them could not resist staying away from the food court, those who wanted to be part of the vociferous 30,000 strong crowd, preferred to step out on to the balcony to get a bird’s eye view of the stadium.

“Cricket and Bollywood go hand in hand and the IPL is the best example of that. Tanishka Junior Forum is rightly providing youth with an opportunity to watch the game amid such a luxurious setting. It will help to increase our interest in the sport,” said Niharika Bhasin, a Journalism student of Indira School Of Communication .

While AIESEC students waved flags, blew trumpets and joined the chorus of cheering crowds, the excitment in the air was quite evident. For most of the students, who had either gotten over with their exams or are all set to sit for their exams in the next few days, watching an IPL match turned out to be a perfect way of unwinding. They captured memorable moments of their favourite stars with their cameras and most of them left the venue with precious memories.

“Before making it to the venue, I was not sure how the experience will be. It could not have got better as I got to see Yuvraj Singh. I could not believe my luck as Preity Zinta was seated right next to us,” said Akansha Singh, an undergraduate student of Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication.