How Sachin Tendulkar facilitated his most ardent fan's travel to England to support India in CT

Sachin Tendulkar might no longer be a member of the Indian cricket team, but that doesn’t stop his most ardent fan to show up at every India game. As Team India gear up for the ICC Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom, they will be cheered on from the stands by Tendulkar’s no.1 fan.

Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary has become a popular figure in India and has almost gained the status the Indian team’s mascot over the last few years. He has attended almost every single one of India’s international matches in the past decade. Most recently, Sudhir was cleared to travel to the UK with his new passport that was issued to him last month.

One of Sachin’s greatest fans, Sudhir Chaudhary applied for a fast-track UK visa. He had to pay Rs. 26,000 to avail the fast-track services, as opposed to Rs. 75000 which is the normal rate of a UK visa. He was granted his visa within 3 days. Interestingly, Sachin Tendulkar had also written a referral letter to the visa office to vouch for his fan.

Sachin Tendulkar writes to the visa office

Tendulkar’s letter read, “I am writing to confirm that Mr. Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary has been an ardent supporter of the Indian Cricket Team and has become an unofficial mascot of the team due to his enthusiasm,”

“His commitment has been relentless and whenever the team is on tour, he goes to great lengths to be present for the games at his own expense. It is unfortunate that someone from a modest background, who is supporting Indian cricket without accepting any help from the players, is made to face numerous hardships to enable him to follow his passion,” Sachin Tendulkar mentioned in his letter.

“I hope on my behalf you will extend your co-operation to Sudhir Kumar as required by him,” Tendulkar concluded.

Sudhir’s expenses for his trip to England will be borne by Fever 104 FM Radio.

Sachin also invited Sudhir Kumar for the premier of his biopic ‘Sachin: A Billion Dreams‘ at PVR, Versova on Wednesday. Sudhir was overjoyed after coming out of the theatre, and in a telephonic interview he said, “It is an amazing movie.”