Calcutta: David Millns has a keen interest in football. That sounds quite normal. 

But what if one says umpire David Millns from England is eager to see an Indian Super League (ISL) match? That definitely sounds interesting. 

Millns was officiating in the Maharashtra versus Vidarbha Ranji Trophy match at the Eden, which got over on Tuesday afternoon. The BCCI has an umpires exchange programme with some of the other cricket Boards, the ECB being one of them. 

Millns was about to leave the Eden for the day when he popped up the question: “Do you have any of the ISL games in Calcutta in the next two days? I have been watching the matches on TV. I would like to go and watch a game at the stadium.” 

Atletico de Kolkata play NorthEast United FC at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Thursday. One isn’t sure if Millns, a fast-bowling all-rounder in his younger days who played 171 matches for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Tasmania, would get to watch the match. 

But Millns has his back-up plans. “I will be in Delhi next, so maybe I can get to watch an ISL match there,” he said.

Millns, who is a staunch Manchester City supporter, was also happy to have officiated a match at the Eden. “From a cricketing point of view, the Eden is one of the places to be, like the Lord’s and the SCG. I never got to play here… 

“So, officiating a match here was a great experience,” Millns said before rushing for his pre-booked cab to the hotel.