In 2011, India won the World Cup after 28 years of wait. India defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede, Mumbai.
Before the presentation, Sachin Tendulkar walked out of the changing room and gestured to Sudhir Gautam to come up. Gautam is a thin and bald head man who sported the replica of World Cup during India’s campaign on his body in the Indian tricolour. For a one and half decades, Gautam is now Sachin Tendulkar’s biggest fan, waving the Indian flag and blowing his conch at every venue Tendulkar plays. Now after winning the World Cup Sachin decided to repay Gautam for his devotion.
Tendulkar was calling Gautam, who was standing on the ground. When he realized he jumped over the electronic advertising hoarding and skipped up the 30 odds stairs on to the corridor of the Indian changing room. During his short journey to the room, he screamed in delight. Tendulkar shook hands with him, then embraced him and finally asked one of his teammates to get the World Cup trophy.
Zaheer Khan brought the cup outside with utmost care and held it tight. Gautam almost snatched it out of his hands but Zaheer held on.
Eventually, Zaheer let Gautam lift it with his both hands, screaming “India”. Tendulkar couldn’t help but smile, he started clapping and was joined by a few of his teammates. The sweat on Tendulkar’s face glistened under floodlights; enhancing his joy of winning the World Cup.