Ind vs SL: 30 children from Dharavi watched first T20I between India and Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium

What came as a massive surprise for 30 underprivileged children from Dharavi, Mumbai Cricket Association president Amol Kale invited the kids to watch the first T20 international between India and Sri Lanka, at iconic Wankhede Stadium on January 3 (Sunday). Notably, thirty children got the opportunity to witness a nail-biting thriller from the corporate box of the stadium, for the first time.

Meanwhile, MCA President Amol Kale informed that the intention behind inviting children from Dharavi to the corporate box was to ‘inspire young kids to play at the higher level.’

“Many people do not have the finances to attend a live international game. This was the opportunity to give few players who aspire to become professional cricketers a once in a lifetime opportunity. If even one cricketer gets motivated to play at the higher level, it will be the best thing to happen,” Kale said.

One of the kids who attended the match at Wankhede Stadium was quoted in Indian Express stating that he was taken aback when he was included in a What’s App group in the name of Ind vs SL.

“I play for the District Sports Club (set up for boys living in the city’s slum) and two days before the game, a What’s App group was formed in the name of India vs Sri Lanka. We didn’t know until then why it was formed but later Suraj Samat sir, MCA member informed us that MCA President Amol Kale has given us passes to see the match. We didn’t know that it would be in the corporate box and we were surprised,” Sarthak Mane said.

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A 16-year-old Ankik Singh said that watching the match has given him ‘lot of motivation.’ “It was the first time we saw the respect players get and many big people had come to see them. Everyone got motivated after the game and all of us want to try hard to play for India,” Ankit said. The Indian Express report claimed that the series opener was witnessed by more than 23,000 fans, while Team India won a thriller by two-runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

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