An elderly Indian fan stole the limelight with her enthusiasm during the India vs Bangladesh match on Tuesday and Anand Mahindra has offered to sponsor her World Cup tickets.
Charulata Patel, 87, won the Internet as she cheered for Team India from the stands. Her pictures soon went viral and even caught the eye of business tycoon Anand Mahindra.
"As per my tradition, I wasn't watching the match. But I'm going to switch it on now just to see this lady...She looks like a match winner...." wrote Mahindra on Twitter.
Ok, watched the last over & it had all the drama I needed. The best victories are those that make you bite your nails at 1st & then make it look easy in the end. Shabash, India & make sure this match-winning lady is present at the semifinals & finals...give her a free ticket! https://t.co/Smp0MrqCIA
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 2, 2019
A few hours later, after India beat Bangladesh by 28 runs, Mahindra again took to Twitter with an update. This time, he praised the "match-winning lady" again and asked that she be given free tickets to all India matches in World Cup 2019.
"Shabash, India & make sure this match-winning lady is present at the semifinals & finals...give her a free ticket!" wrote Mahindra.
#WATCH 87 year old Charulata Patel who was seen cheering for India in the stands during #BANvIND match: India will win the world cup. I pray to Lord Ganesha that India wins. I bless the team always. #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/lo3BtN7NtD
— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019
Following this, when a Twitter user asked if Mahindra could sponsor the octogenarian fan himself, he readily agreed.
"Find out who she is & I promise I will reimburse her ticket costs for the rest of the India matches!" he said in a tweet that has gone viral.
Find out who she is & I promise I will reimburse her ticket costs for the rest of the India matches!😊 https://t.co/dvRHLwtX2b
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 2, 2019
Virat Kohli was seen having a conversation with her after India's victory. He shared pictures of their interaction on Twitter, praising her dedication.
Also would like to thank all our fans for all the love & support & especially Charulata Patel ji. She's 87 and probably one of the most passionate & dedicated fans I've ever seen. Age is just a number, passion takes you leaps & bounds. With her blessings, on to the next one. 🙏🏼😇 pic.twitter.com/XHII8zw1F2
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 2, 2019
Speaking to media, Patel said she has been watching cricket for many decades. She added that she was there in 1983, when India won the World Cup for the first time under the captaincy of Kapil Dev.