Football legend David Beckham was captivated by the electrifying ambiance of the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday when the Rohit Sharma-led India triumphed over New Zealand, securing their place in the ICC World Cup final.
In the midst of this spectacle, Beckham observed the iconic Virat Kohli achieving a record-breaking 50th ODI century, while Mohammed Shami dismantled the Black Caps with a seven-wicket haul.
As he stepped onto the revered grounds alongside Sachin Tendulkar, the crowd hailed him as the hero, and the stands echoed with cheers from thousands of spectators.
"Electric, passionate, incredible," is how Beckham described the atmosphere at the Wankhede, which left him unable to decide whether football or cricket fans were louder.
"You know what? I would always say, football fans. But being here today, I'm not so sure. The atmosphere is incredible. The fans are creating an electric atmosphere and they're very loud, so I'm not so sure," Beckham said in a video posted by BCCI on Thursday.
Beckham, the iconic figure associated with Manchester United and Real Madrid, renowned for his prowess in free-kicks, expressed that the experience at Wankhede had given him goosebumps.
"I think, it's nice to step into a stadium and get goosebumps, and I felt that as soon as I walked into this stadium. There's something about it that maybe because I was walking with Sachin, maybe that made it feel even more special.
"But you can feel the energy within the stadium even when there wasn't that many people in at the start, you feel the energy," he said.
Beckham is currently in India in his role as UNICEF's goodwill ambassador, a role he assumed in 2005. Reflecting on the experience of meeting Sachin Tendulkar and being introduced to Team India, Beckham described it as "truly special."
"I met Sachin for the first time at Wimbledon one time, and it was special to meet him then. But, firstly, he's the best. He's the best, but as a person, he's even better. So for me to spend some time with him in his house was very special and to meet all of the players as well.
"They're going into a very important game, so it was nice that they were able to come over and say hello, and it was a pleasure to meet them all," added Beckham, who was also pictured having a conversation with Kohli at the stadium on Wednesday.
The co-owner of the Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami was asked about his preference in cricket, given the option to choose between batting and bowling. In response, he shared, "I used to play cricket when I was a young kid at school and I always liked being the batter, but I also like to bowl and I also like to field.
"So, maybe, I'm also an all-rounder, but I see myself more as a batter."
Reflecting on his initial impression about India, he expressed that the experience has been incredible, wondering why he hadn't visited the country sooner.
"You know, it's my first time in India and it's been an incredible experience. I can't believe it's taken me so long to come to India. But now I'm finally here, I can't wait to come back. I suppose all of the stuff that I've been doing with UNICEF, meeting incredible young children, inspiring young children, especially some young girls, that were truly inspiring.
"Everything that they were saying and they want to believe in and change, but I think the whole experience from the people, the children, the food, the energy here in the stadium and being here for Diwali and the New Year and the cricket World Cup, it couldn't have been any more perfect," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
