You are here: Home
Sachin is this fan's match ticket
VADODARA,
Jan 30:
His statistics are interesting — 39 ODIs and five Tests in
the last three years. That’s the number of matches Sudhir Kumar Gautam has
watched, free of cost, courtesy tickets from Sachin Tendulkar
himself.
For, Gautam, 26, is no ordinary cricket fan. His love for Tendulkar has him cycle all the way to match venues his trips include one to Lahore too from his home in Muzaffarpur.
For the Indian team, Gautam is a now permanent fixture, with Tendulkar ensuring that he gets a ticket on the eve of every big match.
He was at the IPCL Stadium on Tuesday on the eve of the West Indies-India ODI.
"I first met him in Mumbai in 2003 during an ODI. And, I have been there to cheer my hero and the team since then," said Gautam, as he waved an Indian flag. "All I do is attend the practice sessions before every match and wave the Indian flag. Tendulkar unfailingly gives me a ticket before boarding the team bus. He likes me a lot," added Gautam.
The love for the game reflects on his face, painted in the tricolour and an Indian flag drawn on his tonsured head.
"Watch me tomorrow. I am going to paint my entire body and have Tendulkar’s name on my back," he said.
He even claimed to have visited the batting maestro’s home in Mumbai. He also boasts of knowing every team member.
"I travel from one venue to another on my bicycle and use the train only if necessary. I don’t spend much on transportation," said Gautam. "I cycled my way even to Lahore in Pakistan in February 2006 to watch an ODI.
I had a tough time getting a visa but managed to convince the Pakistan embassy," he said. Such is his love for cricket that he has chosen to remain a bachelor.
"I wish to follow the Indian team to every part of the world. And, that will not be possible if I get married," said Gautam, adding that he took this decision at the cost of making his parents unhappy.
Gautam now has his eyes on the World Cup in the West Indies and is planning to request Tendulkar for tickets.
"I want to see my hero play in all World Cup ties this year and I will request him to hand me some entry passes," said Gautam.
For, Gautam, 26, is no ordinary cricket fan. His love for Tendulkar has him cycle all the way to match venues his trips include one to Lahore too from his home in Muzaffarpur.
For the Indian team, Gautam is a now permanent fixture, with Tendulkar ensuring that he gets a ticket on the eve of every big match.
He was at the IPCL Stadium on Tuesday on the eve of the West Indies-India ODI.
"I first met him in Mumbai in 2003 during an ODI. And, I have been there to cheer my hero and the team since then," said Gautam, as he waved an Indian flag. "All I do is attend the practice sessions before every match and wave the Indian flag. Tendulkar unfailingly gives me a ticket before boarding the team bus. He likes me a lot," added Gautam.
The love for the game reflects on his face, painted in the tricolour and an Indian flag drawn on his tonsured head.
"Watch me tomorrow. I am going to paint my entire body and have Tendulkar’s name on my back," he said.
He even claimed to have visited the batting maestro’s home in Mumbai. He also boasts of knowing every team member.
"I travel from one venue to another on my bicycle and use the train only if necessary. I don’t spend much on transportation," said Gautam. "I cycled my way even to Lahore in Pakistan in February 2006 to watch an ODI.
I had a tough time getting a visa but managed to convince the Pakistan embassy," he said. Such is his love for cricket that he has chosen to remain a bachelor.
"I wish to follow the Indian team to every part of the world. And, that will not be possible if I get married," said Gautam, adding that he took this decision at the cost of making his parents unhappy.
Gautam now has his eyes on the World Cup in the West Indies and is planning to request Tendulkar for tickets.
"I want to see my hero play in all World Cup ties this year and I will request him to hand me some entry passes," said Gautam.
