The Wankhede stadium burst into rhyme as spectators trickled in the pre-semi match. Our poets in the stands chanted Sachin, (referring to retired maestro) Tendulkar of course and Rachin referencing New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra. Cries of ‘Sachin-Rachin, Sachin-Rachin’ rang out, till the crowd went ballistic as they realised football superstar David Beckham was in the stadium. A witty observer pointed out as he saw Beckham with Ravi Shastri at the Wankhede, “In aamchi Mumbai, you don’t Bend it like Beckham but hit it like Shaz!’ Aiga!” like some of our cricketers say.

Sanil Sampat was over the moon and into the aircraft as he learnt he had a ticket for the semi-final at Wankhede. The Muscat resident, who has been following the Indian team during the World Cup said, “I booked my flight as soon as I got a ticket just a day ago, and, I am here from Muscat to Mumbai, for the semi-final! I have been following all India matches through the World Cup, and super thrilled at the turbo-charged atmosphere. Like all India fans, I want the Boys in Blue to make this Win-khede from Wan-khede, but let us, we must remember, this is a game above all.” This cricket aficionado was smile every mile as the aircraft winged its way to the metropolis. Sanil whose name is an amalgamation of Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar said, “The Indian cricket team have their World Cup journey, and I as a fan, have mine.”