New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Whoops of joy, loud applause, joyful back-slapping and congratulations were exchanged in homes across India while out on the streets, the more exuberant cricket fans burst firecrackers and beat drums as Indians celebrated their team's win over arch rivals Pakistan Wednesday to enter the World Cup final in Mohali.

The Indian team entered the World Cup final after eight years, beating Pakistan by 29 runs in a closely contested semifinal that could have gone either way.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, India set Pakistan a 261-run target and then bowled out their opponents for 231.

"We've done it, we've done it, yipee," shouted college student Srikant in elation as Pakistan lost its last wicket.

The tension was palpable in homes as families and friends crowded around television sets, watching keenly the movement of the game, cheering every time a Pakistani cricketer went down, or feeling gloomy when the rivals looked set to stick on.

But as the game turned in India's favour, when the ninth Pakistani wicket fell, the cheering had begun in right earnest. It was a matter of time. But even that took some time coming.

The empty streets and the vuvuzelas going off each time the game swung in India's favour finally seemed to be worth it.

Earlier, students went home early from college, the Delhi government gave its officials a half day off, and people gathered around giant television screens at clubs to watch the match, described by many as 'the mother of all matches'.

       
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