Monday 5 June 2017 16:15, UK
You could hear the horns blaring long before you reached the ground, a steady stream of supporters converging on Edgbaston in the early morning sun.
Anticipation and excitement in the air, the atmosphere inside the stadium gradually intensifying, building up to an almighty crescendo as the players of India and Pakistan emerged in the moments before the start of play. The pyrotechnics added to the sense of drama but, even before a ball was bowled, it was the crowd lighting up Edgbaston.
When the gates opened, a full two hours before the scheduled start, supporters poured in, flags draped over their shoulders to leave no doubts about where their allegiances lay as they took seats, ready to welcome their heroes.
With the ground at around 50 per cent capacity, the players began to filter out for the warm-up, the sight of each new player sparking a fresh wave of enthusiasm and bringing a hearty cheer from the stands - the loudest, unsurprisingly, reserved for the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, although the reception for his predecessor MS Dhoni soon afterwards ran it close.
Preparations over and with a full house in situ, a spine-tingling - and ear-splitting - roar greeted the teams as they strode out, dark clouds gathering ominously overhead. A poignant and perfectly observed minute's silence for the victims of Saturday's London attacks preceded the anthems and in the brief minutes prior to Mohammad Amir sending down the first ball, the energy of the crowd was palpable.
Indian fans outnumbered their Pakistani counterparts by roughly two to one and their side showed similar superiority on the pitch.
It was a subdued start from Kohli's men but that did nothing to quieten the crowd with every boundary generating wild celebrations, bringing men, women and children to their feet in an undulating swath of pale blue.
The first rain delay did little to dampen their spirits and they were rewarded as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dharwan came out firing when play resumed.
Dharwan's dismissal ensured the Pakistan fans, too, had something to cheer but after another downpour forced the players from the field, there was something of a lull when the action restarted.
However, this was a crowd determined to enjoy themselves and they were reawakened in the 39th over as Hasan Ali spilled a simple catch to hand Yuvraj Singh a reprieve - and the left-hander took full advantage.
As India went on the offensive, the volume was cranked up once more and reached its peak as chants of "Yuvi! Yuvi! Yuvi!" filled the stadium. Yuvraj, ever the showman, responded by pulling the next ball high over square leg for six. Cue delirium in the stands.
The ensuing onslaught from Yuvraj, Kohli and latterly Hardik Pandya, led to scenes more reminiscent of Roma's Curva Sud or Anfield on a European night rather than a Sunday afternoon crowd at the cricket as the India supporters' cries of approval reverberated around Edgbaston, flags and banners waved with gusto.
A remarkable 72 runs came from the final four overs of India's innings and when the rain interrupted for the third time in the match, Pakistan's chase was already faltering.
The players returned to a pitch bathed in sunshine, the clouds having vanished as quickly as they appeared earlier in the day, leaving the India fans to bask in the glow of a now inevitable victory for their side.
A fabulous run out from Ravi Jadeja brought them to their feet again but, in truth, their job was done. The widely-anticipated Indian victory was all but secured with a vivacious atmosphere not only delivered but surpassing expectations.
There was a celebratory mood among the Indian supporters as the overs ticked by, while the Pakistan fans, in no mood to hear their rivals gloat, shuffled towards the exits.
It was not long before the Indian fans followed. With victory confirmed, they spilled out onto the streets, flags waving and horns blaring all the while, a glorious evening made all the sweeter for having played their part on a day to remember for their side.
