No coins inside stadium, please

As if standing in line for hours in the heat before being allowed into Wankhede Stadium wasn’t enough, spectators were forced by the police to empty their pockets of all coins before being allowed in.

As if standing in line for hours in the heat before being allowed into Wankhede Stadium wasn’t enough, spectators were forced by the police to empty their pockets of all coins before being allowed in.

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However, most cricket enthusiasts said the chance to watch the match was worth it.

Dhruval Kothari, 25, a resident of Matunga who was at Wankhede with five friends, said: “We reached Ambassador Hotel by 12.30pm by cab and then walked to the stadium. We had to stand in line for hours. The security check itself took very little time. Spectators were made to pass through metal detectors and, depending on what they were carrying, they were asked to step aside for a further check or allowed in. All the coins in my pockets were taken away.”

While many were asked to remove their shoes and belts and frisked meticulously when the security personnel suspected something amiss, most were let in without elaborate checks.

“The security measures are for our and the players’ safety. How long it takes to get to the stadium is immaterial. What matters is that India is playing and we get to watch it,” said Jaydeep Ahuja, 25, a Wadala resident.