AT times it was like watching cricket in Calcutta, Bombay or Madras.

But it was definitely the Rose Bowl, and with a partisan, largely Indian, ground record crowd of 11,861 packed in, it looked a picture. This was cricket spectating sub-continent style.

The Rose Bowl was treated to an abundance of cricketing spice and passion, on and off the field, as India graced the biggest day in the stadium's four-year history.

West End was treated to a cacophony of noise. Botley Road had never seen scenes like it as thousands of flag-waving, klaxon-blowing Indians made their way to English cricket's newest international venue.

And this was without the injured Sachin Tendulkar in the India side. Imagine the impact an Indian player would have on Rose Bowl plc if Hampshire were to add a Rahul Dravid or a Sourav Ganguly to their list of overseas 'galacticos'.

There must have been more noise than any of the crowds that watched chart-toppers Blue here a year ago.

But these fans would have charmed any local NIMBY; it was a day that put the Rose Bowl on the cricketing map.

The Indian press, many of whom made their first trip to the Rose Bowl for India's tour match two years ago, loved the spectacular view from the northern end, from where they made comparisons with Antigua and Cape Town!

And chief executive Nick Pike said many of the crowd were Indians from all across Europe.

"We know from our ticket logs that they came from all over," he said. "They came from up and down the country and from abroad - and that's exciting.

"We certainly had hundreds from all over Europe, including several Dutch Asians. It was tremendous to see so many people here for the first time, and it was a little glimpse of the future to see the stadium looking so splendid. Lots of people have been very kind and very generous in their praise, having not been here before."

Even the predicted showers did not arrive until after India had completed their 98-run win - long after the Rose Bowl staff had begun their day.

"I came in at 4.45am and the cleaners and groundstaff were already in - some people had been here all night!" revealed project manager Geoff Cox.

Former chairman Brian Ford and ex-president Wilfred Weld confessed that they had never imagined such scenes when the Rose Bowl was first conceived 17 years ago.

And the good news is that there is more to come in nine days' time, when India or Pakistan will play in one of the two semi-finals.

The Indians are so convinced that they will reach the last four by beating Pakistan next Sunday that they have already bought most of the tickets!

"It was an extraordinary atmosphere, a first for the Rose Bowl," said Pike, who added: "I thought we had a noisy time at Twenty20 but the tremendous Indian crowd today took that up another level, in great spirit, and they didn't stop! They were a great credit."

The only dampener on a fantastic day was an ineffective park and ride scheme.

"There were always going to be difficulties outside the stadium because of the Boat Show," added Cox, who revealed that there were no problems with 'ambush marketing' - until a stag party turned up. We had four guys come in with the 118 number on their shirt and a fake moustache, like in the advert. But they were as good as gold."