Last evening I was invited to a Brand campaign of the Royal Bank of Scotland. When I entered the Hilton along with my wife, I anticipated a boring evening with bankers and socialites. After the customary pleasentries were exchanged, I moved to a corner and was chating with my wife. She saw him first. When I saw the look in her eyes, I turned to find myself face to face with the lil master. I have seen Sachin a thousand times on television and a couple of times on the field, but nothing prepared me for the sudden surge of joy that I felt on seeing him there.

I asked him about the upcoming Australia series and he said it would be very tough. I enquired whether he has seen the new Aussie spinners in action. He said he hadn't. I said, I don't anticipate them posing too much problems to our batsmen as they are rookies. To that he smiled and said Glen Mcgrath was also once a rookie! Then I looked at my wife and said even Sachin is taller than you! Asha's face went pink and the master's was a shade of crimson. I had done it again!

The interaction was followed by a sumptous dinner over a stand up comedy performance. While leaving, I took one last look at the small great man. It was truely a memorable evening.