JERSEY NUMBER CHANGE GOOD FOR MUM CAPTAIN?
JERSEY NUMBER CHANGE GOOD FOR MUM CAPTAIN?
Was it a change of jersey number that led to a turn in the fortunes of Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma? Yes, claims astro-numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani, who’s celebrating the team’s Sunday win in the Champions League T20 at Kotla with special enthusiasm. That’s because, he says, he predicted the win online before the event, and ascribes it to a change in Sharma’s jersey number — from 77 back to the cricketer’s current 45.
“Blue was our favourite for 2013, and so I predicted Mumbai Indians’ IPL victory and Champions League win, as well as a comeback for the men in blue,” says Jumaani. On Rohit’s birthday, he says, he’d predicted, “Born on 30/4/1987, he (Rohit) is a No 3 (Jupiter) also governed by No 6, Venus (Taurus ruler). His destiny number is 5, Mercury (fastest). Last year (his 26th), he was out of form and was even dropped from the Indian side. Confused, he tried changing his jersey number to 77 (apparently on Dhoni’s advice). We then asked him to revert to number 45 (9), which he promptly did as 77 was not helping him too. As 3, 6, 9 are a family, he now enters his 27th (9) year, which shall be quite eventful as 9, Mars, is also one of the best for sports and aggression.” On the 6th, the day of the match, says Jumaani, “the man of the match was also a number 3 — Harbhajan Singh, born on the 3rd, also sports jersey number 3. MI also won by 33 (6) runs and the captain of MI, Rohit, is a number 9 – 3, 6, 9 — a family!”
A jubilant Rohit Sharma as he receives the CL T20 2013 trophy for Mumbai Indians at Kotla on Sunday
Around this time last year, Rohit Sharma tweeted a pic of his ‘new’ jersey number 77 (above), saying, ‘End of an era (45) and the start of a new one (77)’. He soon changed it back to his current 45 (left), says Jumaani, leading to a change in his fortunes
India captain Sunil Chhetri on his favourite players and team
With the Fifa World Cup days away, India and Bangalore FC captain Sunil Chhetri picks Messi, Argentina’s Di María, Japan’s Keisuke Honda as his favourite. Read his interview below to know which team he feels is the best.
hairstyle of Sunil Chhetri
Brazil will be under a lot of pressure and Spain is in a tough group. Who are you backing to win the World Cup this time?
Brazil and Argentina will be tough to beat in conditions they are familiar with. And Uruguay has always been the dark horse. Of course, the Europeans such as Germany, Italy and Spain will be the other teams to watch out for. Germany is always good as a unit and Spain are the reigning world champions. I am generally a big Spain and Barcelona supporter. I like the way they play the game. Even though Spain is in a tough group, they will take each match as it comes. It is a huge tournament and even though they are in a group along with World Cup runners-up Netherlands, Chile and the physically tough Australia, I think they can raise their game when it matters.
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Who are your favourite players?
Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina has to be at the top of my chart. Then Argentina’s Di María, Japan’s Keisuke Honda, the entire German squad. Argentina’s Sergio Agüero, Maradona’s son-in-law, is another exciting talent and when one talks about Portugal, how can one not talk about Cristiano Ronaldo?
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Most football fans in India are TV driven and support club teams in the EPL and other European leagues. How do you think the game can grow in the country at the grassroot?
The popularity of the I-League [India’s national football league] is growing in the country. With Bangalore FC we’ve made a good start. In this season we got packed houses for each match as well as travelling supporters. That is the way forward. Clubs should build a loyal fan base with the optimum use of social networking. Also, women and children should be a big part of our support base.
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