“Hi, what are you doing here?” was how Sourav Ganguly greeted surprise visitor Mandira Bedi on Wednesday afternoon. Both were at Eden Gardens, she to promote women’s cricket and he to practise for Pakistan on the indoor pitches. Picture by Pabitra Das

It was the first visit to Eden Gardens for cricket’s first lady — no, not Dona Ganguly. The lush green and the vast expanse bowled Mandira Bedi over. But the presence of hardly a handful of people at the third One-Day International between the Indian and West Indian women’s teams stifled that “wow” somewhat.

“I’ve heard so much about the stadium, it’s wonderful to finally be here,” gushed the woman in all-white — top, Capri, sneakers and transparent glasses. “But where’s the vibe and energy that you associate with the stadium?” she asked, pointing at the empty stands.

Mandira’s one-day tryst with the city of her birth was to try and set that right — to bring patrons and people to the women’s game. After changing the face — and figure — of men’s cricket, she’s now firm on doing the star turn for the women in flannels.

The actress-cum-model-cum-presenter (“not a commentator”, she insists) has convinced diamond brand Asmi to sponsor the Indian women’s team. “I’ve become very shameless now when it comes to asking for funds for women’s cricket,” she admits. “Whenever I come across corporates rooting for women’s empowerment, I tell them there’s a bunch of girls they can help.” A bank and a household appliances company have already pledged funds.

Between cheering her Team India and chatting with players and officials, Mandira took her mission forward by meeting the two big men of Bengal — and Indian — cricket.

First up, a 20-minute tete-a-tete with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya, seeking institutional support for the women’s game.

Then, a brief encounter with Sourav Ganguly. Learning that the Indian captain had padded up for a session on a concrete square, Mandira did not let go the chance to wish him well for the showdown across the border.

Ten Sports, holding exclusive rights to the series, is categorical about “not doing a Mandira”, but the star of Sony’s World Cup 2003 coverage will be making it to Pakistan after all. Mandira will be travelling to Lahore for two matches — not to steal the show on the small screen, but to pen media columns.

Film, television and theatre actress; cricket and Bollywood presenter; product endorser and crusader for women’s cricket — Mandira admits she’s still trying to find her calling. The Jill of all trades has just finished her first film as heroine (Shaadi ka Laddoo, directed by her husband) and till Tuesday night was busy shooting for her second lead role in Divorce, before packing her bags for the Calcutta touch-and-go.

But Wednesday evening, after duly crowning the victorious Indian team, was meant to spent at her “maasi’s” place in New Alipore, not too far from Woodlands Nursing Home, where Mandira was born.