The Chargers’ net practice session almost resembled a match going by the crowd response at D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbaion Wednesday. Students of the adjoining D.Y. Patil University flocked the practice ground to catch a glimpse of the Bulls preparing for IPL-3. The youngsters lapped up every big hit launched by the batsmen, especially Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds. Shots from Ravi Teja, Suman and Y. Venugopal Rao too evoked thunderous applause but the wildest cheers were reserved for the charismatic Symmo.
The youngsters connected with the Aussie allrounder and even backed him right through his run-up when he turned his arm over to send down a few spinners. He didn’t disappoint, and held his arm up to acknowledge the cacophonic crowd after he got a batsman out. And you thought Symmo was the villain in the 2008 ‘Monkeygate’ controversy involving now Mumbai Indians bowler Harbhajan Singh? To quote his price tag of $1.35m at the first IPL auction, there are a million reasons why India loves Symonds.

Chargers at home in navi mumbai

The Deccan Chargers may be missing Hyderabad this IPL but the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is definitely making them feel at home. The entire place has been bathed in blue much to the delight of Adam Gilchrist and his boys.
The charging bull can be spotted all around the tiers of the swanky stadium, creating an intimidating ambience for the opponents. Even the seats, painted in the Chargers colours of blue and white, appear to be screaming their support for the Hyderabad team.