Gargi Raut at Lord’s
Ex-commentators, players, legends and the crowd walking alongside each other on the premises of a cricket stadium is an unusual sight in England. Ravi Shastri getting out of a black cab in front of the Grace Gate at the Lord’s cricket ground, Stuart Broad being denied entry after trying to enter from the media gate at the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium, Dinesh Kartik hauling his own luggage and getting into a cab – These are just a few of the candid, behind-the-scenes moments you might catch if you’re near a stadium during the India vs England series.
In England, cricket is truly for the people. For the organisers, cricket is much more than the game played on the field. It is about a smooth sailing, enjoyable experience for the fans. Every detail is planned with the spectator in mind, ensuring nothing compromises their comfort or enjoyment. From the dozens of food stalls lined outside the stands, to the freedom to bring your own food or leave and re-enter the stadium at will, everything reflects a fan-first approach. The crowd is truly at the heart of the game. And the crowd too gives back to the game in their own way, be it sitting incredibly still when the overs are being bowled or appreciating every player – no matter which side they are on.
One such unique experience was when I left the media box during the lunch session and wandered over to the nursery nets, only to be completely taken aback. The nets had been retracted to make way for the crowd. The very turf where India and England had practised just 24 hours earlier had been transformed into a space for fans to sit, eat, or even lie down and relax. Bean bags and tables had been set up in what was, not long ago, an intense practice zone. The first thought that crossed my mind was how, back home, these practice or training areas are strictly off-limits to fans, let alone being repurposed for their comfort. The idea of cricket associations making space for the crowd in such zones would be almost unthinkable.
To add to the surprise, the very pitches where, not long ago, Indian skipper Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Karun Nair were taking throwdowns from Ryan ten Doeschate had now been taken over by little kids playing their own game of cricket. One young boy, perched comfortably on a bean bag, was quietly enjoying the match from his spot behind the stumps, assuming the wicketkeeper’s role as he watched his friends play.
In moments like these, you realise the spirit of English cricket, not just in the game but in everything that surrounds it. The openness, the accessibility and the genuine effort to make fans feel part of the experience reflects a culture that treats them with respect and is not just a spectacle. For someone used to a more restricted, structured environment around the game, it’s both heartening and humbling. In England, cricket isn’t just for the elite or the insiders, it’s for everyone. And that, perhaps, is what makes it so special.
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