September 8 was to be ‘the day’ but nature’s capricious ways ensured one of the most eagerly awaited events in recent times became a non-starter at Visakhapatnam. Yuvraj Singh’s comeback has been exalted to the level of a spectacle, not so much because of his prodigious on-field abilities as his myth-busting battle against a rare germ-cell cancer.
As the anticipation surrounding what would be his first International appearance since November 2011 escalated, nature threatened to make mischief again.
Chennai has had its share of rainfall in recent times and Monday was no different. But come Tuesday, many fans would have wished the rain to take a break — if only for a day.
And oblige it did!
Right from the time Yuvraj walked out to field at mid-wicket till he limbered up to bowl, the chants of ‘Yuvi…Yuvi’ were incessantly boisterous.
Never mind it wasn’t a full house.
Kiwis welcomed
It must be a good feeling to be received with affection wherever one goes to play. Teams like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are beneficiaries of such largesse in most countries they tour thanks to the strong presence of their respective countrymen.
England and Australia have loyal touring fan contingents (‘Barmy Army’ and ‘Fanatics’ respectively) as well.
New Zealand, despite being an eminently likable team, doesn’t command such frenzied following. That very few Kiwi supporters were spotted during the ongoing series didn’t result in raised eyebrows (there was a lone New Zealand fan walking around the stadium on Tuesday amusing onlookers with a placard that read: ‘TICKET WANTED’).
In Chennai, however, there was a fairly large billboard in the vicinity of the M.A. Chidambaram stadium that screamed: ‘Kia Ora (a Maori greeting)/Namaste/Vanakkam. Welcome Black Caps. Best wishes, and pleasant stay in India.’
The billboard also had as its backdrop Indian and New Zealand flags.
What’s not to love?
