Tuesday’s India vs. Bangladesh match not only gathered headlines for India’s nail-biting win by mere 28 runs but also because the team found a lucky mascot in a fan. Charulata Patel, an 87-year-old London resident, caught the attention of a cameraman, as she was enthusiastically blowing vuvuzela every time the team scored a boundary.
Her vigour and passion for the game certainly made her the commentators’ favourite, but also of the Indian team’s skipper Virat Kohli, who after the match went to meet and seek the blessings of Patel. And recently, in a series of tweets, Mahindra Group chairman, Anand Mahindra, has offered to sponsor Patel’s tickets for the rest of India’s matches.
The businessman, who avoids watching cricket matches in the fear of jinxing them, was moved to watch the last over after Internet created a buzz about Patel. And when a Twitter user asked him why doesn’t he sponsor Patel, he promptly replied, “Find out who she is & I promise I will reimburse her ticket costs for the rest of the India matches! (sic).”
He further tweeted praising team India’s performance, while also asserting Patel’s presence at the semi-finals and finals, calling her a ‘match-winner’. Interestingly, Patel told ANI that she was present in the stadium when the Kapil-Dev led Indian cricket team registered the country’s first World Cup win in 1983.
