Guwahati: As the city gears up for the high-stake T20 World Cup match between India and West Indies, pubs across town are transforming into buzzing fan zones with large screens and extended hours, owners said.Several venues have upgraded and added extra screens to accommodate the rush, citing a sharp rise in demand for collective viewing ahead of the fixture. Many fans say the shared experience of watching live sport in a packed pub remains a major draw, especially for those who do not want to watch the game at home.
Renzim Khaklary, a manager of a private sports bar in the city, said, “We have arranged screenings for the people, and since its Sunday, more people often come to pubs to watch the match. Usually on weekdays, we get about 80-90 people, but during match days, the count goes up to 300. That’s how hyped the people are during world-cup days.”Amin Nayak, a manager of a pub on the city’s RG Baruah Road, said the venue has expanded its viewing setup to handle the crowd. “We have installed around seven screens at our venue, strategically placed both inside and outside the pub, but still within the premises. This setup allows people to enjoy the match from different areas of the pub. As a result, people often start arriving from the early hours, eager to grab a good spot and enjoy the experience with friends and family.”For many locals, pub screenings have become a ritual tied to major fixtures. Sanjukta Das, a resident of Ulubari, said, “When the whole place erupts at once, you feel part of something bigger. Even strangers start talking like they have known each other for years,” she said.Rajdeep Konwar, another resident, said the atmosphere during live screenings often brings together fans from different backgrounds. “The cheers, groans, and nervous silences build a shared emotional rhythm that’s hard to replicate.”
