Chapter 62: The First Net Session
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS) in Jaipur did not possess the colosseum-like grandeur of the Wankhede or the intimidating cauldron atmosphere of Eden Gardens. In March 2008, it felt almost rustic. The stands were sun-bleached, the facilities were functional rather than opulent, and the outfield was a patchwork of brown and green, baked hard by the relentless Rajasthani sun.
But as Aryan Sharma walked through the tunnel and onto the ground, the air felt electric. It wasn't the electricity of a crowd—the stadium was empty save for the team, support staff, and a few ground authorities—it was the electricity of something new.
The Indian Premier League. The great experiment.
