A Date with the Royal Challengers

Flaunting my RCB 'fanatic' status across the streets of Mumbai + witnessing the clash of the titans with the Mighty14 team + attending the RCB, MI after party = The best a fan can get.

What started off as a 'royal' snub and nasty comments coming our way from our fellow Mumbaikars went on to become one of the driving force for RCB's victory. Donning our RCB jerseys and heading towards the East Stand at CCI , we felt like an outcast in aamchi Mumbai

, but the tables, much to our amazement, had turned during our departure. It had to...after all a bunch of Reds in a sea of Blue couldn't help but revel post RCB victory. The 'huh..Bangalore', 'Gheun tak...RCB la' remarks went on to become 'Well played'..'Aaj Kallis 'Jumbo' vada pav khaun aala ka?' rightfully so.

The MI plans of scoring big after winning the toss were perfectly foiled by Kumble and Co. Being skilled defenders in the tournament so far, the total of 152 didn't quite act as a dampener to the spirits of the RCB supporters. While dismayed the MI fans didn't wait for the last ball to be bowled, our chants and histrionics continued well past victory atop chairs et all

The unbeaten knock by Kallis and Dravid hanging out to a one handed blinder at mid-wicket served as perfect eye candies of the innings. bowing out to the men in Red we all finally left the Brabourne.

I had the opportunity to capture the moods of the victorious RCB team as a photo blogger for the RCB,MI after party and Rocky S fashion show. Meeting and congratulating Coach Jennings as soon as I entered the hotel lobby, was a high of sorts for me. Proud of his boys as a mentor and basking in my team's glory as a fan, the two of us just couldn't stop gushing about the win

While the Mumbai Inidans (except Shikhar Dhawan, Duminy, Fernando) gave the party a miss. The Challengers were in a mood to celebrate. Kumble and Dravid made a quick exit, the rest of the team stayed for a long time.

Getting a ring side view of the off field action of RCB was a great experience for me. Joined by the four Chiefs and our community manager Nidhi, I almost felt like home, a stark contrast from the other IPL after parties I'd attended.

RCB team manager Avinash Sir- who admitted to being not so tech savy, but had been through the fan club blogs and appreciated our efforts.

Chief Photographer Ashish- for getting the Protean power house of RCB to pose for me.