Gargi Raut in Melbourne
Melbourne offers the best of festive spirit with Christmas being celebrated today. Yesterday, the open net set-up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground provided a rare chance for fans to watch the Indian cricket team train up close, something that doesn’t happen often back home. The fans, excited to watch their favourite heroes train, gathered in droves and cheered them on.
On the other hand, for the players, the proximity of the fans brought both joy and an occasional challenge as they tried to fine-tune their skills ahead of the all-important fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Virat Kohli, who looked intense with the bat, had moments where he requested fans to take it easy, “Guys, I’m trying to practice…” said Kohli at one point, addressing a few enthusiastic chants. Clearly, his tone wasn’t of anger but a plea for focus. If anything, it reflected the fine line that players walk between entertaining fans and preparing for a crucial game.
The skipper, Rohit Sharma, too, balanced his interaction with the crowd, acknowledging their energy. Occasionally, he also requested them to maintain silence, so that the players don’t get disturbed.
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With cricket being the biggest sport in India, the players are no strangers to the immense passion their fans hold. For instance, as Jasprit Bumrah walked out to bat, he was welcomed with loud cheers, keeping in mind his match-turning batting partnership in the Brisbane Test. Bumrah soaked in the attention, smiling and returning gestures to the cheers that he received. In the last practice session, he went out of his way to invite a young fan to the nets area and clicked a picture with him. The gestures highlight how deeply the players value their fans, even in high pressure situations.
The practice session at the MCG is an indicator of the unique challenges that Indian cricketers face. Unlike any other cricketing nation, Indian players carry the weight of a billion expectations, wherever they go. It’s understandable that while they appreciate the enthusiasm of their fans, it can occasionally cross into distractions during practice sessions.
That being said, the behaviour of the fans is rarely about malice and has more to do with sheer excitement and admiration for their stars. Kohli and Rohit’s reactions weren’t about dismissing the fans who had gathered. Instead, it was about managing the balance between preparation and expectations.
Some fans go above and beyond to display their love for the game and its players. For example, a fan named Jaspreet had patiently waited for close to eight hours to get an autograph. Eventually, the wait turned fruitful as Rohit autographed a bat and jersey for her.
On the other hand, Shobhit Virmani narrated the tale of his journey as a Kohli fan. He proudly showed off his two tattoos, including one of Kohli’s autograph on his wrist. His dedication didn’t stop there. Virmani has penned an entire book, documenting his journey named, ‘The biggest fan of Virat Kohli’. He told team RevSportz about how he finally met Kohli, who in turn was kind enough to not only pose for a picture but also signed the book and kept a copy for himself. Shobhit had travelled all the way from India just to get glimpses of his favourite cricketer.
The Indian captain set an excellent example after the session, where he stayed back to sign autographs and interacted with the fans that had stayed around for hours to get a glimpse of their heroes. Rohit ensured that the fans felt appreciated. Even during the occasional challenging moments, they always found ways to connect with their supporters.
Fans’ passion is what fuels Indian cricket and is its biggest strength. As the Indian team prepares to take on Australia in a crucial game at the G, the focus will inevitably shift back to the action on the field. But these interactions serve as a reminder of India’s unique cricketing culture and the shared responsibility between the stars and millions of fans.
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