Of matches and miracles

Guwahati, Apr 9 (UNI) With rain threat looming large over the fifth India-England tie here today, the fans are seeking the help of ethnic rituals and djinns to see the game get going.

A group of young cricket buffs today held an ethnic ritual by planting red and green chillies on the ground outside the Nehru Stadium.

'' This ritual is being done to invoke some supernatural power to help the rains stop so that we get a full match,' said Rabindra Basfor, a local youth who stays close to the stadium.

A few more were even prepared to hire a local occult practitioner to appease the rain gods. ''We have heard that there is a person nearby who could summon the djinns to ease a crisis. We would locate him. We hope to do a miracle,'' another fan said.

Assam is witnessing heavy showers for the past six days although some sunshine yesterday brought smiles to the fans here.

Miracles or not, their prayers seem to be working with the ground awashed with a bright sunshine raising prospects of having a match.

UNI BA KK PM HT1145