Fanatical follower of the ‘Little Master’ tips a triple-ton in last Test.
While Sachin Tendulkar might have more than a billion fans, none of them are bigger than Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary.
Better known as Gautam, the super-fan has spent much of the past 12 years trekking around India following the team and his idol.
Despite being unemployed, Gautam rides his bikes, sneaks onto trains and makes money from tickets left by Tendulkar himself so he can follow his hero as he plays.
Gautam, who stands out with his full body paint and giant Indian flag at games, said there will never be another player like Tendulkar as long as cricket is played.
“The first is Sachin and the last is Sachin,” Gautam, whose hair is shaved into a map of India and coloured as the flag, said.
“There is no one else.
“I will support the Indian cricket team, but not any individual as I have supported Sachin.”
In 2011 Tendulkar invited Gautam to celebrate India’s World Cup triumph with the team, lifting the trophy together.
“He cannot play forever, but I am very sad,” Gautam adds.
“He is God.”
And as for the final innings? Gautam isn’t predicting a Don Bradman-esque duck to go out on.
“As a farewell gift, I think he will score a triple century for his fans.”
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