23 October,2017 07:18 PM IST | Mumbai | Harit N Joshi and Subodh Mayure
India wheelchair cricket team players Ramesh Shripate and Shahid Ansari were keen spectators at the Wankhede yesterday as they cheered for Virat Kohli's men in the first ODI v New Zealand
India wheelchair cricket team players Ramesh Shripate and Shahid Ansari were keen spectators at the Wankhede yesterday as they cheered for Virat Kohli's men in the first ODI v New Zealand. But though the duo's entry into the stadium was smooth, they had a tough time getting to their seats at the Vijay Merchant Pavilion since it doesn't have a ramp for wheelchairs. They were directed to the adjacent Garware Pavilion which has an elevator but since their tickets did not permit them to enter here, they were sent back to the Vijay Merchant Pavilion. Finally, the authorities opened the side entry of the Vijay Merchant Pavilion, which offered wheelchair access. The men weren't sour though. "This is the first time we're watching a match live here. It's a dream come true. The atmosphere is incredible," said Shripate.
Ramesh Shripate (left) and Shahid Ansari at the Wankhede yesterday
Virat-Anushka ad off while skipper bats on
WHILE Virat Kohli was smashing his way to his 31st ODI ton yesterday, the huge screens at the Wankhede Stadium played out a commercial showing Kohli taking marriage vows with girlfriend Anushka Sharma. The timing of the advertisement wouldn't have amused the Indian skipper considering he was trying to steady his team's innings after losing both openers early. Thankfully, the commercial was not repeated throughout Kohli's knock and only resurfaced after the Indian innings.
Scorers Varsha Nagre (left) and Vrinda Rathi. Pic/Subodh Mayure
Women scorers Nagre, Rathi make ODI debut
Former Mumbai women's left-arm spinner and middle-order batswoman Varsha Nagre and ex-Mumbai University medium pacer Vrinda Rathi yesterday made their international debut as scorers for the India v NZ ODI here.
Mumbai has contributed seven members to BCCI's panel of 10 women scorers, while the Mumbai Cricket Association has a 50 per cent ratio of women scorers in it's current list of 14. "While being ex-cricketers has helped us be better scorers, doing scoring has also helped us understand the game better," said Nagre.
