Ever since the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar retired from cricket, he left his special fans heartbroken. However, he still makes his presence felt in stadiums whenever the Indian team takes the field. Sudhir Gautam, the man who paints himself in the Tricolour with ‘TENDULKAR’ written on his chest and holds an Indian flag high on the stands to cheer India up, was not seen in the three Tests that India played against Australia in their ongoing tour.
However, Gautam was back in the stands in his familiar self for the fourth and final Test which started at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday. The visitors have been comfortably placed at 303 for 4 at the end of Day 1 of the fourth Test after skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat. Cheteshwar Pujara hit his third century of the series and was unbeaten on 130 at stumps on Day 1. Mayank Agarwal, who made an impressive debut in the previous Test in Melbourne, scored 77 and the two played a big role in taking India to a respectable score.
Gautam left for Sydney via Mumbai and Delhi on Monday morning and interestingly, all his travel expenses along with visa were borne by Sachin Tendulkar himself. Talking about the same, Sudhir said, “I will be disappointed if the Sydney Test (beginning January 3) is won by Australia. Don’t want the series to be tied at 2-2, but want Kohli’s team to win the final Test.”
ALSO READ: Pakistan’s Bashir Chacha Offers A Helping Hand To Sudhir Gautam
Sudhir Gautam will also be there for the three ODIs in Australia that will follow the Sydney Test and will follow the Men in Blue to New Zealand thereafter where they will take part in limited-overs series.
Talking about the same, Gautam said, “I will also watch the three ODIs in Australia before deciding to go to New Zealand also. I had requested Sachin sir to bear my ticket fares and visa expenses for the Australia tour. My friends in Australia have promised me to make my arrangements for internal travel and other expenses.”
The superfan said his return ticket from Melbourne is booked for January 21 but he would request Rohit Sharma or Shikhar Dhawan if they could arrange for his tickets to New Zealand.
