Emotions were running high inside the Wankhede Stadium a day before the big match on Thursday. Fans and media were literally glued to Sachin Tendulkar during his afternoon practice session.

The Indian players were cheered loudly as they went about their practice session for the Test which will see the Master Blaster bow out of the game. Workers, meanwhile, were placing huge posters on the stadium roofs each with a photograph highlighting Tendulkar’s 51 Test tons.

The man at the centre of all this attraction was, however, relaxed and calm while keeping an eye on his son Arjun. The lad was making the most of being with the Indian team, especially with Ishant Sharma bowling to him at the nets.

Fans were waiting for autographs from the players when they wound up their practice session and began heading towards the pavilion en route to their dressing rooms. The noise levels reached a virtual crescendo when MS Dhoni exited with his trademark smile while asking the fans to calm down.

“ Match mey paanch wicket lena (take five wickets in the match),” shouted one of the fans as Pragyan Ojha followed his skipper into the dressing room.

The crowds then went berserk when Sachin wrapped up his practice session. Chants of “Sachin Sachin…” grew louder and cameras were plonked near the pavilion exit as he walked back with his son.

Though the crowds were relatively limited, the hysterical pitch seeing the Master Blaster and the clamour for autographs was good reason for the cops to tighten security around him.

Tendulkar cheerfully obliged the media contingent and posed for pictures. Many seemed virtually tongue-tied while some wished him luck for the Test. A bunch of kids hung on the railing trying to shake hands with the big man. What better gift could they ask for as Indian cricket’s biggest icon gets set to bid farewell.

>beena.parmar@thehindu.co.in

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