26 October,2015 07:43 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi and Subodh Mayure
South Africa's one-drop batsman FAF du Plessis already had a couple of medical breaks due to cramps, but as he fell to the ground after hitting a six over midwicket, India skipper MS Dhoni knew the South African's cramps were severe
MS Dhoni helps Faf du Plessis after the South African suffered a bout of cramps during the fifth ODI at Wankhede yesterday
South Africa's one-drop batsman FAF du Plessis already had a couple of medical breaks due to cramps, but as he fell to the ground after hitting a six over midwicket, India skipper MS Dhoni knew the South African's cramps were severe.
MS Dhoni helps Faf du Plessis after the South African suffered a bout of cramps during the fifth ODI at Wankhede yesterday. Pics/Atul Kamble
It must be a nightmare for any skipper when the opposition batsman is in full flow and the agony would have been a bit more for Dhoni, who watched his bowlers being punished. As soon as Du Plessis collapsed, the India skipper immediately removed his wicketkeeping gloves to help stretch Du Plessis' right leg. He did that for a while before the South African physio took over. A good example of sportsmanship that!
Chaos for fans
A majority of Indian fans may have left their homes early in the day, hoping to be in their seats well before the toss. Instead, they endured scorching heat and the gates did not open on time. A Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official said: "We (the MCA) had instructed the police to open the gates at least three hours before the match but they were opened a little late and that is why there was chaos getting into the stadium."
A mother feeds her kid before the start of the match
The tight security also added to the fans' frustration as security guards opened the gates only partially. Fans waiting to enter the stadium from the University Pavilion end were understandably restless because play had already started 15-20 minutes ago and most stands looked full only 15 overs into the game.
Players first at ceremony
MCA president Sharad Pawar and vice-president Ashish Shelar, the two political bigwigs, could have easily hogged the limelight by presenting the R1 crore cheque to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis towards drought relief.
India's Rohit Sharma (right) and Ajinkya Rahane give Rs 1 crore cheque to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (left) for drought victims
However, the MCA decided to let Mumbai stars Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane present the cheque. Quite often, politicians, who are part of the sporting bodies in India, are accused of being in forefront at events like these, but here, the players were most visible.
