The MCA authorities must reach out to the public and allot more tickets for them than before, compulsions notwithstanding. Importantly, the tickets should be sold in a fair manner without any controversy like the 2011 Test at Wankhede. The authorities announced that the tickets were sold out at the end of the third day’s play when Tendulkar was unbeaten against West Indies, 33 runs short of what would have been his 100th international century. However, there were still some vacant sections in the stands the following day, which left the fans wondering what MCA’s full house meant. Tendulkar getting dismissed for 94 (caught by Darren Sammy at second slip off Ravi Rampaul) was another disappointment.

Making spectators comfortable must also be a priority. Indian venues are not famous for doing this to perfection, but what better way to start than with Mumbai’s greatest cricketing son’s landmark 200th Test.