Pro Kabaddi League: Kings of kabaddi merge with locals

In sport, it's common to see triumphant teams being paraded in open-top buses in front of their home fans the day after their accomplishments. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his Men In Blue were according an overwhelming reception from the Mumbai airport to the Wankhede Stadium on a September day in 2007 after their victory in the inaugural World T20.

However, U Mumba, following their maiden triumph in the Pro Kabaddi League on Sunday, did a similar parade but with a local flavour. And, they did take the term 'local' a bit too seriously.

Taking the local flavour of the metropolis and its people into account, the Anup Kumar side decided to share their joy with daily commuters on the 3:12 pm Andheri local to Churchgate. Having partied till six in the morning at the Taj Hotel in Colaba, it was surprising to see the entire squad looking as fresh as a daisy around noon. From their orange and black kits, the squad changed into a black and golden shirt with the words 'Champions 2015' printed on the front.

Besides the cash prize and the adulation from well-wishers, the squad was presented with an I-Phone 6 and a copy of 'Dream with Your Eyes Open: An Entrepreneurial Journey' written in English and Hindi by team owner Ronnie Screwvala. Running on a tight schedule, an entourage of Innovas took Kumar and his side to Andheri station.

If there was ever a doubt if the local Indian recognised a Kabaddi player, it was removed within minutes the moment the latest Pro Kabaddi League champions stepped out of their cars on the eastern side of the station. "Anup Kumar ko ab kaun nahi pehchaanta? Kal hi poori family ke saath match dekha maine. Aur aaj ye log station pe," (Who doesn't recognise Anup Kumar? I had watched the final with my family yesterday. And these guys are here today) said Amol, a sugarcane juice seller at the station.

Making their way through the ticket counter and the foot overbridge, the Mumbai side waited at platform No. 7 for the train. Reaching half-an-hour early gave the side ample time to interact with those that gathered. But sitting in a corner all by himself was Kumar. Kabaddi's most recognisable face was seen laughing on a video call. By his actions, you could tell that it was his family back in Haryana.

"I've got some free time after ages. I may hail from Haryana but I've heard a lot about your trains. Andar kuch sunaai nahi dega (won't be able to hear anything). The open jeep thing is something that most teams do. But the train idea is our way of saying thank you to the fans. I'm now a local in a local," said Kumar, who decided to bring in his team-mates during the call as well.

Making the most of this journey to Churchgate were local lads Vishal Mane and Rishank Devadiga. Wearing black sunglasses, it was easy to spot the loudest areas of the platform and the bogey. The duo ran upto the dabbawallahs who had alighted from the train halted at the platform and clicked a host of selfies.

"We've won it for all these guys. Having lived in Mumbai, we know who the real heroes are," said Vakola resident Devadiga. Mane went ahead and performed one of the noblest gestures you'll ever see in a local train. With very few commuters in the first-class bogey, the raider interacted with fans in the general compartment through the steel railing, shaking hands and clicking selfies, removing all class barriers.

"I've spent my life travelling on the other side of that railing. A Pro Kabaddi League win doesn't change things. You can't take the Mumbaikar out of me," said Mane, a Lalbaug resident.

With the trophy being passed around from one player to another in the bogey, there were a few who weren't able to bear the heat and the distance, and were found fast asleep. Surender Nada, Masayuki Shimokawa and Mohit Chillar snored away to glory.

Mane and Devadiga made sure Fazel Atrachali's first trip to India ended on a happy note with the Iranian showing those gathered how improved his Hindi was with an excellent rendition of the popular song 'Ek-Do-Teen'. "His voice is better than his knowledge of Hindi numbers. He'd make a good singer in our trains," high fived Devadiga and Mane.

The team saved the best for the last at Churchgate station and Marine Lines. Showing their ability to tackle, the team were able to move through the hustle and bustle at the station that was soon approaching peak hour.
If catching commuters by surprise wasn't enough, U Mumba also brought a wry smile on the face of former India hockey player Prabhjot Singh at the station, who was on his way to play for Indian Oil in the Guru Tegh Bahadur Cup at the MHAL stadium.

Yes, kabaddi is getting that popular.

Going along the Dhoni path, Kumar and his side then hopped into open-air jeeps lined up near the station as they made their way to Marine Drive and back. As the U Mumba side waved to the many gathered at the promenade with their phones in hand, the people at the 'Queen's Necklace' sure got their sight of the kings of kabaddi.