The fans here are bewitched by the cricketers. Even a nondescript player, identified only by his franchise colours, is mobbed for selfies. Autographs are out of vogue now.
Mumbai Indians (MI) is Gujarat Lions’ opponent on Saturday. Most fans are keen to know if MI mentor Sachin Tendulkar, a cricket celebrity of awesome proportions, would accompany the team.
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A glimpse of the maestro is what the audience at the Green Park expects. His last on-field appearance here was in a Test against Sri Lanka in 2009 when India won by an innings.
Sachin performed exceptionally well for the most part in his 24-year international career, became a cricket icon yet remained grounded. But, one can attain instant stardom in the Indian Premier League (IPL)! Sachin’s dignified conduct, on and off the field, should serve as a lesson for most of the current so-called stars.
Sachin took care to connect with his fans and that is the reason why he continues to command a following even among this generation of cricketers and the game’s followers. A pity he would not be present in Kanpur when his team takes on the Lions.
As Gujarat Lions prepares to meet Mumbai Indians (MI) in the last league match for both teams, skipper Suresh Raina, who made judicious use of Dwayne Smith’s bowling against Kolkata Knight Riders here on Thursday, is expected to deliver.
Just one wicket in his last eight matches did not quite portray Smith as the incisive bowler that he turned out to be on Thursday night, when he snared four wickets in a match-winning show.
“From the time the skipper gave me the ball, I decided I had to put it in the right areas. The pitch was a little helpful as well. I am glad I could get some performance and put my team in a winning position,” said Smith, after the game.
Gujarat Lions has 16 points and a net run rate of -0.479 when compared to Mumbai Indians, which has 14 points (-0.082 NRR). Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Jasprit Bumrah have been the key performers for Mumbai Indians. The much-hyped Krunal Pandya made 86 in his last innings but his previous 10 have brought him only 147 runs.
A spinner-friendly track could greet Mumbai Indians as Lions look to counter the opponents’ liking for the ball coming on nicely. A win for Lions would seal Mumbai Indians’ fate.
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