Long retired from the game but Sachin Tendulkar's mere presence was good enough for a near-capacity crowd to go hysterical during India's World Cup game against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne on Sunday.
Having retired from international cricket in November, 2013, Tendulkar hasn't dropped in for international matches often and therefore the legend's presence at the iconic venue was just the icing on the cake that the fans needed for a marquee match of this magnitude.
On his arrival at the MCG, Tendulkar, the brand ambassador of the World Cup was quickly whisked away to the ICC's Hospitality Zone with tight security in place.
The moment giant screen at the the MCG showed Tendulkar, clad in violet shirt and dark trousers, enjoying the match, the chants of "Sachiiin, Sachiiin" were back again.
When his image was flashed for the second time on the giant screen, he waved at the crowds and it was met with a deafening applause.
While the lucky ones in the ICC Hospitality Box got their share of selfies and autographs, the ones outside had to be content with clicking random pictures of the Master Blaster.
For Sachin, he life seems to have come a full circle at the World Cup. In 1987, he was present at the Wankhede Stadium during the semi-finals as a ball boy. He was then was an integral part in the next six editions. Today, he was again back to cheering his team.
In person, he was not on the turf, but was there very much there in spirit.
