British Airways asks Sachin Tendulkar's full name, gets trolled by fans

British Airways has now earned the dubious distinction of getting India’s famously equanimous cricket god Sachin Tendulkar to lose his cool — by losing his luggage.

The Master Blaster hitting out at “BAd service” by tweeting he was “angry, disappointed and frustrated” could well signal the loss of an important first-class frequent flyer and family for the airline.

Worse still, BA has probably also earned the ire of a billion of his devotees by later demanding his full name and address so that it could “look into” his complaint.

This could have ramifications far beyond mere brickbats on social media as a significant number of those infuriated fans may be past or potential BA customers. Ticket sales to Indians in the coming months should be monitored.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, coincidentally in BA’s home ground London on the same day, told British parliamentarians, “The British are wise enough to recognise his greatness; Indians are generous enough to share him. We are both fortunate enough to have been touched by his life and mission, and we are both smart enough to use the strengths of our connected histories to power the future of our relationship.”

The PM was alluding, of course, to Mahatma Gandhi; but judging by the reaction to BA’s unwitting slight, many can be forgiven for thinking he meant Sachin.