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Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th test, his last match before retirement is creating as much frenzy for the crores at stake & gala preparations underway, as it is for being a momentous occasion for scores of cricket fans who will see their ‘god’ for one last time on the pitch. As the whole of India, and pretty much fans of the cricketing legend across the globe tune in to their television sets, here’s a lowdown on what’s at stake in terms of the monies –
#1 Bookie town is in frenzy mode. Rs 2,000 cr is riding on Sachin’s performance in the final test and Mumbai police is expected to keep a close watch on betting activities. According to www.betfair.com, the odds of India winning the match at Wankhede is 56 paise, which means for every rupee bet, the bettor will get Rs 1.56 if India wins. Similarly the odds on West Indies winning the match is Rs 10.5 and for the test ending in a draw is Rs 3.75. Meanwhile the odds on Sachin scoring a century is at Rs 6.6 with Cheteshwar Pujara faring better at Rs 4.8 and Rohit Sharma at Rs 6.
#2 Tickets that were priced between Rs 500 and Rs 10,000 on www.kyazoonga.com are being sold in the black market for between Rs 15,000 to Rs 70,000 according to various estimates. Only 5,000 tickets were available for sale to fans, while the remainder of the 25,000-30,000 tickets have been distributed to various clubs associated with the MCA, sponsors, government officials and police personnel.
#3 Cashing in on the hullaballoo, broadcasters have upped ad rates by almost 30-40% according to reports and Star is demanding anywhere between Rs 60,000 and Rs 1 lakh per 10 seconds as opposed to the usual rate of Rs. 30,000 to 50,000 according to the Economic Times.
#4 Websites are latching on to the bandwagon by offering Sachin memorabilia of all kinds. Online portals like eBay for instance has launched limited edition silver coins, hundreds of which were sold within minutes of them sending out a mailer. Autographed bats, books, coffee mugs, cell phone covers and posters – there are products in the market to suit every budget and vendors claim the response has been excellent. Tendulkar backed online portal www.musafir.com meanwhile, is offering Mumbaikars free cab rides from different junctions in the city to Wankhede Stadium.
#5 Where cash registers are ringing, money is also going out to ensure the safety of the master blaster, his teammates and audiences. The Times of India reports that the BCCI has covered the two test match India-West Indies series for a whopping Rs. 190 Cr against terrorism liability, higher than the usual Rs. 170 Cr cover. This cover is comparable with the Rs. 200 Cr cover for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Amid all the money spinning, preparations are also underway to give Tendulkar a grand sendoff. The MCA has planned a special stamp to commemorate the occasion, a gold coin for the toss and booklets highlighting his time on the field. Advertisers like Aviva & GSK Consumer Healthcare (manufacturers of the Boost brand) for whom Sachin is a brand ambassador meanwhile have planned social media campaigns as well as advertisements in leading dailies to pay tributes to the little master.
It's going be one high 'pitch'ed farewell indeed!
