Emotions were running high at Wankhede, a day ahead of the big match on Thursday.

Fans and media were focussed on Sachin Tendulkar during his afternoon practice session.

The Indian players were cheered loudly as they went about with their practice session for the Test after which the Master Blaster will hang up his boots.

Workers, meanwhile, were placing huge posters on the stadium roof each with a photograph highlighting Tendulkar’s 51 Test tons.

The man at the centre of all this attention was, however, relaxed and calm, keeping an eye on his son, Arjun.

The lad was making the most of being with the Indian team, especially with Ishant Sharma bowling to him at the nets.

Fans were waiting for autographs from the players when they wound up their practice session and began heading towards the pavilion en route to the dressing rooms. The noise levels reached a crescendo when M. S. Dhoni exited with his trademark smile, while asking the fans to calm down.

“Match mey paanch wicket lena (take five wickets in the match),” shouted one of the fans, as Pragyan Ojha followed the skipper into the dressing room.

The crowds went wild when Sachin wrapped up his practice session. Chants of “Sachin Sachin…” grew louder and cameras zoomed into the pavilion exit as he walked back with his son.

Though the crowd was relatively small, the frenzy on seeing the Master Blaster and the clamour for autographs were good enough reason for the cops to tighten the security around him.

Tendulkar gamely obliged the media and posed for pictures. Many seemed virtually tongue-tied while some wished him good luck for the Test.

A bunch of kids hung onto the railing and tried to shake hands with the big man.

beena.parmar@thehindu.co.in

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