2nd April - India won the World Cup
10th April - I saw Sachin 1st time on the field (2nd overall)
14th April - Saw Sachin for the 1st time ever in my life (came to my college)
24th April - Sachin's Birthday
Anyways, the focus of this article is the event on 10th April. I had gone to Ferozeshah Kotla to watch the IPL4 match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils... or to say, I had gone to see Sir Sachin Tendulkar.. for the 1st and probably the last time on-field.
The idea took birth when a bunch of my friends went to Kotla to see India versus Netherlands World Cup match. One of my friend, Neetish told me about 10th April's match and the last chance to see Sachin. Although a bit tentative, I proposed this idea to Arunesh on March 24th, when India was on verge of defeating Aussies. Although still tentative, we booked the tickets on March 30th, when India was on verge of defeating Pakis :)
Not too much excited, I somehow made up my mind to see Sachin. We were 5, reached stadium 1.5 hours before the commencement of the match. This was no theater where each seat was booked. We had tickets, but the choice of seats was purely on first come first serve basis.
There can never be such an excitement for me seeing Sachin versus Sehwag - or Sachin celebrating Sehwag's wicket - or Sehwag giving tips to the bowler how to bowl to Sachin. Brotherhood???
The first disappointment and the surprise was the size of the ground. It was very small compared to what we see on television. All thanks to the lovely camera work. I was reminscient of my own Inter-school match when I was in Class XI. This was no different. Believe my guys, watching a match on TV and watching live, although both amazing, have entirely different feel.
You watch it on TV to have a close analysis, ball by ball, with all comfort and the commentary. The zoom-ins, hawk-eyes, various graphs and charts make it a different ball game altogether. But here in the stadium, it was the experience of watching the icons live. The deafening sound of Sachin... Sachinnnnnn... and the crowd cheering each and every ball and run, the hopes of getting a ball in the crowds in our own zone add excitement and the greenery ofcourse :)
I wouldn't comment on my hatred for IPL which just doubled today. Come on yaar.. Indians cheering Morkel to get Sachin out... not just acceptable. But overall, it was amazing. Though missed the fireworks from Sachin's, Sehwag's or Pollard's bat because of the low total scored by Delhi and then subsequently chased by Mumbai, Malinga's 5 wicket hall made up for it.
I knew this would be my first and the last visit to a live match. In all probabilities, Sachin wouldn't play in Delhi any more unless he plays an ODI next year, but then chances are very low I would be here in Delhi or would be free in that case. So.. it was an experience which would be with me FOREVER.
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