There was, thus, a sense of void among young fans on Thursday. Yet at the same time, it was filled with the excitement of looking forward to members of the Gen Next.
During the morning session of the first day here, the giant screen at the Wankhede flashed videos of Sachin Tendulkar's final Test: of him touching the pitch, of teammates lifting him on his shoulders, of wife Anjali shedding a tear.
The crowd, watching it on the big screen, made a collective roar. This was the first Test played in Mumbai since that iconic day on November 16, 2013, and first at the Wankhede without the name "Sachin Tendulkar" in the India team list in the 10 Tests that they have played here since his first home Test in 1993 against England. In those 20 years, any Mumbaikar who would've flocked the Wankhede to witness a Test would've seen Tendulkar walk out in the middle.
There was, thus, a sense of void among young fans on Thursday. Yet at the same time, it was filled with the excitement of looking forward to members of the Gen Next.
"It's sad that I'm watching a match in Mumbai without Sachin, but we have to move on," said Nahush Bhobe, a 19-year-old. "I'm eager to watch Virat Kohli play live. He's my favourite as well."
Thirteen-year-old Bhavesh Modak, who studies in IES New English School in Bandra, said he took up cricket due to Tendulkar, but now looked forward to watching Cheteshwar Pujara play. "I came here to watch him play and learn how he builds his innings patiently. I love Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin as well."
The Bharat Army, a group of about 200 supporters who have come from London to support India in this Test and have come in all England trips to the country before, said the atmosphere in the ground without Tendulkar was a tad different on Thursday.
"It's a bit quieter than usual," said Rakesh Patel, one of its members. "But it's been a long time since Sachin retired, and India have already found a replacement for him in Kohli."
Perhaps, they have. Perhaps, Mumbai cricket fans have moved on.
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