Dubai, July 10: Not only the senior members of the Indian team have taken  break for the ongoing series against Zimbabwe but the game's die-hard fan, Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary (also known as Sudhir Gautam) is absent in Harare.
The most familiar fan, often seen with his body painted in the national colours of India, and waving the national flag in the live telecast of cricket matches, could not reach Zimbabwe because he could not find sponsor for his trip.
Speaking exclusively over his mobile from Muzaffarpur, he says, "nobody has come forward this time to fund my trip. Recently I went to Bangladesh with my own money and Sachin Tendulkar sponsored my trip to Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup matches".
Being painted with letters-Tendulkar 10-he is widely recognised for attending every home and away match the Indian team has played since 2003.
"I tried to contact Sachin sir, but he seemed to be overseas and therefore he could not be approached".
"I shall watch matches on TV now", he added.
Interestingly, "Sachin's fan" has been appointed the brand ambassador of a district election cell in Bihar to raise voters' awareness in the run-up to the upcoming state poll due later this year. This was confirmed by Anupam Kumar, the district election officer and the district magistrate of Muzaffarpur.
"To bring awareness among the voters, this popular face has been signed as an Ambassador", he said over telephone.