For the love of God

[Holysmoke]

Mumbai's games have been better attended than most in this IPL, thanks to the Tendulkar effect Tariq Engineer 2011, Mumbai, May 14, 2011 People have been flocking to see the legendary high left elbow while they can © AFP It is an understatement to say Jaipur is hot at the end of April. The heat is like a living thing, determined to scorch the earth of all other living things. Yet there the Sawai Mansingh Stadium was three weeks ago, with its uncovered stands, already half-full at 2.30pm, a good 90 minutes before the scheduled IPL game. By the time the umpires walked out to the middle, the place was packed with fans eager with anticipation. Rajasthan Royals typically draw tremendous home support, but on this day it was clear the fans weren't there just for them. The opposing team were Mumbai Indians, and the fans had come to see Sachin Tendulkar. They cheered when he came out to warm up, cheered when he came out for the toss, and cheered when he came out to bat. Such was the reception for Tendulkar that during Rajasthan's next game against Pune Warriors, Shane Warne was moved to say at the toss that it was "nice to be home. They cheer us well here as long as Sachin's not playing." The faces in the crowd reflected their dual allegiances, literally. Once girl had the Rajasthan logo - the double R - painted on her right cheek. On her left, in the same blue paint, she had "Sachin Tendulkar". Unfortunately for the fans, Ashok Menaria had Tendulkar stumped for 7 in the fifth over. Having missed out on a chance to cheer their hero at the crease, the fans produced the loudest roar of the game when Tendulkar caught Rahul Dravid. No opportunity to celebrate India's most cherished cricketer was going to be missed, whatever the situation. It has been a similar story at stadiums around the country. What the 2011 IPL has made clear is that Tendulkar transcends team loyalties, especially now in the twilight of his career, when it's hard to know if there will be another chance to see him play. The fans want to get a glimpse of him so they can tell their grandchildren: yes, I saw him bat. India's World Cup triumph has added to his aura, making his career appear complete. It was the final piece in the puzzle, the storybook ending, and what we are seeing now amounts to the standing ovation at the end of play. "People are making an extra effort to be at the ground," Amrit Mathur, the chief executive of the Delhi Daredevils, told ESPNcricinfo. "It is one more chance to see a legend, to see Tendulkar. Because he is Tendulkar, and if you miss out, you might not see him again." The numbers back up the existence of a "Tendulkar effect". Television ratings for Mumbai have been consistently higher, and their games have attracted more viewers, than those of the other franchises. It is the same story at the box office. Ashish Hemrajani, the founder and chief executive of BookMyShow.com, which handles ticket sales for four of the 10 franchises, told ESPNcricinfo that all the Mumbai games have been sold out, barring a few early ones. While other teams' sales depend in part on the quality of the opposition and the time of the match, Mumbai, he said, has transcended these factors. "The Mumbai games most certainly sell off quicker." Neetu Bhatia, who heads Kyazoonga.com, which handles tickets for Pune, said they were selling about 70% of the tickets for each game, with one exception - Mumbai. "It was completely sold out. And not just sold out two days prior but sold out three weeks prior." When it comes to watching Tendulkar, you don't take chances. "People are making an extra effort to be at the ground. It is one more chance to see a legend, to see Tendulkar. Because he is Tendulkar, and if you miss out, you might not see him again" Amrit Mathur, Delhi Daredevils CEO Part of Tendulkar's universal appeal is his consistent excellence, which resonates with fans of all backgrounds. Keshav Joshi, 29, has been watching cricket since he was six years old. In 1996 he went to each of India's games in the World Cup. Having grown up in Pune, he supports the Warriors and the Maharashtra state team, who have had a long, albeit unsuccessful, rivalry with Mumbai in Indian domestic cricket (think of Maharashtra as the Manchester City and Mumbai as the Manchester United of Indian cricket). It is safe to say that Joshi is not a Mumbai fan. But like millions of others, he finds it impossible to set aside his admiration for Tendulkar, the India batsman, in favour of IPL team loyalty. "I think SRT's fan following is based on his exploits for the Indian team, and although he plays for a different IPL team, deep down I want him to do well even against the Warriors, as long as we win," Joshi said. "The same question could be asked to supporters of the Maharashtra Ranji team. When we play Mumbai, I still want SRT to do well. A lot of it has to do with him showing his mastery irrespective of who he is playing against." Joshi roots for Tendulkar to score runs against the teams he supports, so he can have "the opportunity of seeing the best batsman on earth play". He even supported Mumbai in the first three IPLs because of Tendulkar and the team's geographical proximity to Pune, but switched loyalties once the Warriors were born. His support for Tendulkar, however, remained intact, as it has for others like him. "A lot of my friends, now that PWI is pretty much out, have begun supporting Mumbai again." It isn't just the fans who revere Tendulkar either. Mathur, the Delhi chief executive, says it extends to the players who play with and against Tendulkar. "The people in the squads on either side - they consider it a privilege that they are in a game with Tendulkar." Signs of that were evident during the World Cup. R Ashwin, the India offspinner who plays for Chennai Super Kings, said playing with Tendulkar was a moment he had waited for. After his first World Cup game, Ashwin took a stump out of the ground and got Tendulkar to sign it as a memento. It is an aura that has grown not only with the sheer weight of Tendulkar's achievements but also because of how he has carried himself as a person. "He is one icon who has conducted himself very well," Mathur said. "No taint in his conduct or in his behaviour or in a way he has carried himself, not just as a cricketer but as a personality and as a role model. He has reached a stage I think it will be impossible for anyone [else] to reach." Mumbai has two games left in the league stage and at least two more playoff games. Two of those games will be played in Mumbai, but wherever Tendulkar plays, it will sound and feel like home. Tariq Engineer is a senior sub-editor at Cricinfo RSS Feeds: Tariq Engineer © ESPN EMEA Ltd.

[SachDan]

but Dhoni is more popular than Sachin :regular_smile:

[Holysmoke]

Looks like this is a pea rise everyone follows but nobody talks about :hehe:

[Guest Gunner]

There is enormous truth to this article. All of us who grew up with SRT have been inspired by this man in our own lives in a quest for excellence. His hunger has taught me how to keep going on and on and get the best in life. Never stop short of excellence and never fear a challenge. What a man and waddaplaya!!! Love the little fella.

[Guest Gunner]

but Dhoni is more popular than Sachin :regular_smile:

Actually that statement is also true. People feel an emotional affection for SRT whereas Dhoni is easily the most popular criketer in India today. This is how popular culture works.

[Ultimate_Game]

Just heard on the news today that Dhoni is the 10th most powerful/richest sportsman across the world!!! The list included Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in the top 5 IIRC. And Yuvraj was at no. 49.

[ViruRulez]

MI matches are always full. So not surprising.

[Sid]

Yes, U_G you have heard it right MS Dhoni beats Rafael Nadal and Kobe Bryant Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the most marketable Asian sport star, according to London-based SportsPro magazine. The India captain’s marketability is higher than international sporting icons like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Kobe Bryant. “Dhoni has undeniably become the player that sponsors opt for to endorse their brand in the south-eastern Asian country,” it says. “Without question though, in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup and the IPL, Dhoni’s marketability will reach a new high in India, and everyone will want a piece of its new national hero,” says the magazine, which has listed out 50 most marketable sportspersons of the year. Dhoni is 10th on the list. Leading the poll is Usain Bolt, who moves up from fourth place last year and replaces NBA star LeBron James who topped the analysis in 2010. “Although he will never attain quite the Messianic status that Sachin Tendulkar has with the Indian population, Dhoni has undeniably become the number one choice for those looking to boost their brand in the south-eastern Asian country,” says the magazine. “The main point of the list was to find out where the value for money might lie. It is not supposed to be a ranking of the wealthiest people in sport, or even the most popular but simply who represents a good investment from a sports sponsor’s perspective,” the magazine says. Dhoni endorses 23 brands, including Reebok, Pepsi and Lays. He has been guaranteed a minimum earning of US$19 million over the next three years. Yuvraj Singh, man of the tournament in the World Cup, is 49th in the list. Of all those caught in Indian cricket’s rising tide, Yuvraj looks set to be lifted the highest. “He was popular enough among the national team’s devoted following before being named player of the tournament at this year’s World Cup; with his transformation from free-scoring all-rounder to bona-fide national hero, brands are said to be forming a disorderly queue,” the magazine says. Yuvraj reportedly earns as much as US$1 million per deal from the likes of Reebok, Fiat and Seagram’s Royal Stag and it is anticipated that at least a 30 per cent jump in his endorsement fees. “For companies wary of the corporate haze around Dhoni and the deified Tendulkar, Yuvraj is perhaps the best available option. A lead role in upcoming animation feature Captain India offers a route to Bollywood, and with over 440,000 followers on social networking site Twitter — nearly 200,000 more than Dhoni — he can reach out to the sprawling Indian diaspora too. As captain of expansion Pune Warriors, Yuvraj is also central to the commercial fortunes of that sponsors’ paradise,” the magazine points out. The key tenet of the list is the search for value for marketing money. As such, it is pointed out, the likes of Roger Federer, David Beckham and Michael Schumacher — household names and hugely marketable individuals — are not included in the rankings as the cost of an endorsement with them is likely to be at its peak or, indeed, on the wane. http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_ms-dhoni-beats-rafael-nadal-and-kobe-bryant_1545392