Of cricketers' convoys and standing ovations

If any proof of a cricketer's celebrity status in India were needed, the New Zealand team's arrival at the Motera stadium on the first day of the Test would provide it. Preceding the team bus was a police van, siren screaming and red light blazing, clearing the road ahead of it like a forest fire in a particularly thick wood. Two other cars zoomed behind the coach. The entire convoy was greeted at the door of the stadium by the JEA Hind marching band, all gleaming brass, red caps, spotless white uniforms and jazzy film songs. The New Zealanders cannot have recognised "Naiya naiya naiya re"; they ran straight in, got into training togs, and began to toss a rugby ball around on the field.

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Raj Singh Dungarpur, former board president, visited the press box as soon as the first session got underway, and he had much to say about Imran Khan's recent comments on Sachin Tendulkar. Imran had stated that Tendulkar, unlike Vivian Richards and Don Bradman, was not a matchwinner. Dungarpur pointed out that both Bradman and Richards had been backed by powerful bowling attacks, and said that Imran's comments were "unprovoked." In his enthusiasm, Dungarpur also let drop descriptions of Imran as an "unsuccessful politician" and said: "We treat them so well - when Pakistan won at Madras, the entire crowd gave them a standing ovation - and yet this happens."

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However painstakingly built, an innings of 42 off 116 balls, even if it is on Test debut, does not usually inspire standing ovations. Unless you are Akash Chopra, and your dismissal means that Sachin Tendulkar is going to come to the wicket. Being his first such experience, Chopra may have been surprised at how every single person in the stands got to his feet and started clapping - until the claps started pounding to the rhythm of "Sa-chin, Sa-chin." Parthiv Patel, the hometown boy, will be lucky if he can inspire the "Oooohs" and "Aaahs" that Tendulkar did upon his arrival at the crease.