Afew musings, observations and opinions (mostly our own) on a lazy Saturday afternoon. At the Wankhede Stadium. The Indian Invitation XI v/s The Sri Lankan Invitation XI.vying for the Airtel 3 Million Cup ( that's not the prize money - Airtel is celebrating , in their words, three million happy subscribers. Good for them )

First things first. This is the match where none of the participants get Rs 67 lakh. No one gets anything. This is about charity, causes - and of course, cricket. The proceeds - Rs 1.5 crore (Rs 15 million) expected - will go to Lataji's ( that's Mangeshkar for the guys not yet clued in) Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre, Pune.

"Cause? What cause?" queries a a bloke outside the stadium. "This match is organized so that we can get a feel of World Cup". Talk about lingering hangovers. Very few are clued in about the CAUSE. Lataji 's going to be disappointed.

It's all about charities and disparities. The disparity between the guys who fork out the two grand( or is it five grand?) for the cause and the urchins (mind you, their incisive analysis of the game will leave you gasping) who tell me "paisa hota to hum bhi match dekhte". "Yeh final hai na?" asks a snotty nosed kid, who could walk into any remake of Oliver Twist as member of Fagin's gang.

Inside, it is nice to feel the tingle of the electric atmosphere that is present at international matches anywhere in the country. The raucous rowdies are filling the East Stand - yes, the place you will not find page 3 gliteratti in their designer togs. The cause has drawn about 20,000 - 25,000 fans to see our boys battle our padosis from the Emerald Isle.Yes folks, cricket sells.

We wander around the lower bay of the pavilion stands. A harried TV crew member from MAX is giving last minute instructions. "Where is Mandira?" we query. The dude is not amused and goes about his work.

Teeny boppers squeal as they spy Sachin in the dressing room ."So cute!!!!!" they trill in unison.( this 'cute'-ness will recur in our story). Raucous rowdies let lose wolf whistles and some spicy (unprintable) comments as Airtel cheerleader girls enter the ground in their flouncy skirts( pom-poms et al) and go about their MTV-influenced( or is that Channel V - we don't know this TRP game) callisthenic routine.

The cricketers smile as the girls wave to them.The girls have a tough time controlling their errant skirts billowing in the wind. The organizers' staff lensman is clicking them when he is interrupted: "toss ke samay, captains ke saath Mittal saab frame mein barabar aanaa chahiye".

But the buzz is about the HELICOPTER.Yes , a chopper. It will land on the ground. Lekin, copter mein kaun hai? Captains Saurav and Sanath for sure. And Sunil Bharti Mittal - that's the guy who has three million subscribers. Shah Rukh bhi hai kya? Aur film stars bhi hai kyai? Hey folks relax - this is not a Boeing 747 for chrissake, just a 4-seater 'copter from Million Air.

A roar as London-returned SRK, looking good -seems to have recovered from the surgery, walks on to the ground ( helicopter mein nahin tha) with Lataji. By the way , does anybody remember the cause?( we like to play spoilsport!!!!).

The copter arrives. The crowds yell. Captains and guardian of three million happy subscribers climb out and acknowledge the cheers. The right dose of masala for a fun match like this one. Saurav and Sanath , accompanied by Mittal saab(frame mein aanaa chahiye) and Lataji and SRK go towards the pitch for the toss. Saurav wins and elects to bat( he has learnt his lesson).

Match 40 overs ka hai ya 50 overs? Media persons, fans, organisers etc are not very sure. We ask a MAX TV crew person. And then we pipe in unison "Where is Mandira?" This guy is not amused either. The PA system crackles to life: this will be a 45 overs a side match. That's sorted.

A volunteer shouts to another: Where are Sanath's pants? The other guy: What will I do with Sanath's pants? The first one: "Better come inside and sort this matter."

We hope the match is not delayed because of Sanath's trousers! Someone tells us that Zubin Mehta is in the house. We wonder: doesn't Zubie baby have a performance at the NCPA tonight?