Sachin Tendulkar party fizzles out all too quick - Seven balls was all it took t- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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Seven balls was all it took to turn fairground vibe to familiar mayhem. In the ten minutes that followed, the Chaudhary Bansi Lal stadium was emptied as seven and a half thousand people trooped out double quick.

In This Pic : Sachin Tendulkar

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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One young cricket fan dared to scream, "Haryana jeetega", then glanced around and corrected himself. "Match ki aisi taisi ho gai (the match has been ruined)," he said. An elderly gentleman in khaki screamed into his mobile phone, "Saare ticket baant de (distribute all the tickets)."

In This Pic : Sachin Tendulkar

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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Lahli and Sachin Tendulkar had come away from the first day's play in the Mumbai-Haryana game feeling empty-hearted.

In This Pic : Sachin Tendulkar

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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Perhaps it was inevitable. This rural outpost had worked itself into such a frenzy over Tendulkar's last Ranji Trophy tie that they were perhaps expecting miracles. The day's play itself was dramatic, with rank bad batting and seamer-friendly conditions in the morning contributing to all the Haryana wickets falling before lunch. Mumbai ended the day firmly in front at 100/4, trailing only by 34 runs. Mohit Sharma starred with both bat and ball on a greenish pitch which lacked any real malice.

In This Pic : Sachin Tendulkar

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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But that wasn't the action Lahli was after. This was a Tendulkar party and he had let them down on Sunday. Maybe it was lost on the crowd that Tendulkar might get a chance to bat again in this game. Or maybe they feared Mumbai wouldn't need to.

In This Pic : Sachin Tendulkar

Pic Courtesy : PTI