Adelaide: Sudhir Kumar Gautam, the well-known Sachin Tendulkar fan is here, thanks to his idol. This fan who is a mini-celebrity in India for having followed the legendary batsman to every venue, waving the Indian flag for him, is here to root for the Indian team and realise his dream of watching the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
As usual, he has painted his body in India’s tri-colour and also printed the words ‘Miss U Tendulkar’ on his chest.
Speaking to Gulf News while taking a break from his flag waving act, he said: “I never thought I would be able to watch this World Cup. I am here because of Tendulkar. The Australian embassy in New Delhi gave me a visa only because of Tendulkar’s letter to the embassy.”
He then whipped out the letter signed by Tendulkar from his bag and said: “Fever FM, an Indian Radio station, agreed to sponsor my trip here. Since I have lived all my life only to support Tendulkar, the embassy may not have given me a visa, and that too so quickly but for Tendulkar’s note.”
Tendulkar has even mentioned in the letter that Gautam is a national icon due to his enthusiasm, and clarified that the sponsors would meet all his expenses while in Australia. Though Gautam flew in to Adelaide in the early hours, he immediately rushed to the ground when he heard the Indian team would be training from 10am. He did not even wait to have any breakfast after the long flight. Some fans immediately offered him a banana and a few sandwiches.
As he sat waving the Indian flag, a few fans gathered around him and started chanting ‘Sachin, Sachin’ even though the legendary batsman has retired and had played his last World Cup in 2011.
Gautam has been given a seat next to the entrance that players use to walk into the ground. And having seen him almost at all venues, most of the Indian players are known to him. They were seen waving back to him, and after the fielding session some of them were seen asking him if he was comfortable here.
