New Delhi: Former India captain Anjum Chopra recalled the day when the India team almost lost a World Cup match. She revealed that the team did not make it to the stadium on time because the driver who was in charge of the team bus, did not have an idea about the route from the hotel to the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
Recalling the moment Chopra said on the YouTube show ‘22 Yarns’ “During the 1997 World Cup, we were staying at DLTA – Delhi Lawn Tennis Association. We were the poor cousins of million-dollar babies so we were accommodated wherever there was no rent or any other cheap option. We were to play a match against Sri Lanka, our first match [of the tournament] at Feroz Shah Kotla”.
“So, we got on the bus and left for the stadium, and we knew the play won’t start on time because it was raining. After about 10-12 minutes – I was sitting at the back – someone from the front called for the Delhi residents. And when I got to the front, I was told that the driver doesn’t know the route to Feroz Shah Kotla! I knew the way, but only from my place.” She said.
“I thought I was the only most knowledgeable person because everybody else, apart from Anju Jain and I, were not from Delhi. So, I was helping the driver with the route, who was using his own ‘internal GPS’ as well. After about half an hour, we came back to Sarojini Nagar ( just 1 KM from DLTA ). We were circling around Sarojini Nagar and South Extension and after half an hour again we were back in the same place.” She further added.
“So apparently, the captain and the vice-captain got off halfway through and took a taxi. And as it turned out, even the taxi driver didn’t know the way to Feroz Shah Kotla. I don’t know how we managed to reach the stadium but when we did, my parents, who had come to watch the game even though it was raining, were standing outside with a big smile on their face. And then the first thing we were told was, ‘Please go straight to the dressing rooms and don’t tell anyone that you have just reached’. We reached there at 9.05 am.” She revealed on the show.
Anjum Chopra retired from the international cricket in 2012. She represented India in 127 ODIs, 18 T20Is and 12 Test matches. She is currently working as a cricket commentator.
