Well known former England football star David Beckham was a special guest at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai when India and New Zealand clashed in the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 on November 15.

Beckham is on a three-day tour of India as the UNICEF ambassador and was at the stadium for the CWC 2023 knockout match as a special guest and admitted that he had goosebumps when he entered the stadium, mentioning that it was perhaps because he was with icon Sachin Tendulkar.

UNICEF and the ICC have joined hands to promote gender inclusion and women’s empowerment through cricket.

“I think it’s nice to step into a stadium and get goosebumps, and I felt that as soon as I walked into this stadium. There’s something about it, maybe it was because I was walking with Sachin, and maybe that made it feel even more special. But you feel the energy within the stadium even when there weren’t that many people at the start,” Beckham said speaking on BCCI TV.

CWC 2023: ‘One Final push’ - Team India's social media posts after reaching World Cup final

When asked to pick between football atmosphere and cricket Beckham would say, “You know what? I would always say football fans, but being here today, I am not so sure. The atmosphere is incredible. The fans are creating an electric atmosphere and they are very loud, so I am not so sure.”

Speaking about his cricketing credentials the footballer would say, “I used to play cricket when I was a young kid at school, and I always liked being a batter. But, I also like to bowl and I also like to field. So, maybe I am an all-rounder, but see myself more as a batter."

India will now play in the CWC 2023 final in Ahmedabad on November 19.