World Cup Final: 56-Foot World Cup Trophy and Tattoos Galore for Team India

Bhubaneswar: Cricket fervor is sweeping across India as anticipation builds for the ICC World Cup 2023 final between India, led by Rohit Sharma, and five-time champion Australia at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium this Sunday.

Scheduled to kick off at 2 pm, the day will be marked by an exciting closing ceremony starting at 12:30 pm, featuring an Air Show by the Indian Airforce. The entire nation, including Odisha, is caught up in the excitement.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik extended his best wishes to the Indian Men’s Cricket Team via social media, hoping for a third World Cup victory.

Renowned artist Sudarsan Pattnaik expressed his support by creating a massive 56-foot-long World Cup Trophy on Puri Beach using 500 steel bowls and 300 cricket balls. The sculpture, completed in six hours, bears the message ‘Good Luck Team India.’

GOOD LUCK #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/YzK0IJZOYg

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) November 19, 2023

In Puri, the Jagannath Sena offered prayers for Team India’s triumph near the Lord Jagannath temple. Cricket enthusiasts in Odisha are going to great lengths to show their support, such as Pintu Behera from Berhampur, who adorned his torso with a tattoo featuring Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Behera is now in Ahmedabad to cheer for Virat and Team India.

Nikas Kanha of Phulbani is another passionate fan who travels extensively, displaying his support with painted images of Virat and the national flag on his face and body.

To capitalize on the high-stakes event, hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs across the state, including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, are setting up large LED screens. They are offering special menus, complimentary dishes, drinks, and discounts to cricket enthusiasts during and after the match. Even hotel staff are donning Team India jerseys, adding to the festive atmosphere.