Subhayan Chakraborty in Hobart
With the Indian and Australian teams scheduled to arrive in Hobart, on the evening of the eve of the third T20I at Bellerive Oval, Saturday morning felt wonderfully light. While taking a casual stroll through the Salamanca Market, open only on Saturdays, delivered an unexpected sporting delight. Amid the vibrant array of street vendors and stalls offering local food, mementos, spirits, and clothing, the market buzzed with tourists and locals soaking in authentic Tasmanian culture. One stall stood out: Captain Bligh’s Brewery, where Chris and Adam enthusiastically showcased their range of local spirits. Spotting two Indians wandering nearby, Chris called out, “Are you here for the cricket?” And just like that, a warm conversation began.
“Australia defeated India last night,” this writer replied. “The crowd was great last evening but I am more interested in how your women’s team does in the final,” Chris shot back with utmost enthusiasm.
From there, the chat flowed endlessly. “The Australian women’s team is a great side but I was rooting for India. Smriti Mandhana is my favourite. The greatest, I would say,” Chris continued. “What I like the most about her is her demeanour. I haven’t met her but I am possibly her biggest fan. She has every shot in the book but the way she carries herself, her interviews. She comes across as a genuinely nice lady. She deserves a World Cup.”
Chris was a true cricket enthusiast – it took just minutes to see how deeply he knew the game. Now 39, he had watched his first match, Australia versus Zimbabwe at Bellerive Oval, during the 1992 World Cup. “I feel Alyssa Healy is not a good captain. She was riding on the quality of other players. India have been waiting a long time to win a World Cup. This is their best opportunity to win it. What a chase that was. It was 4 am here but I was hooked to the TV, cheering every catch the Aussies dropped. That’s how badly I want Smriti to lift that trophy,” Chris said, his eyes lighting up with passion.
When I asked how his love for women’s cricket had grown, Chris, who had also worked as a chef for about a decade, replied firmly, “I always tell my cricket fans, if you only watch men’s cricket and don’t support the women’s team, then you are not a cricket lover. The only difference between men’s and women’s cricket is that women cricketers can’t bowl as fast, otherwise it’s all the same. They bat well, the spinners are great – look at our Alana King – they field equally well. So where’s the difference,” Chris asked.
Customers kept flocking to the stall, creating brief pauses in our talk, but Chris insisted we stay put, eager to keep the conversation alive. “I will be there at the game tomorrow but I’ll be tuned in for the women’s final. It’s a shame that both the matches are happening at the same time,” he lamented, frustrated by the clash between the third men’s T20I and the Women’s World Cup Final.
“Mark Waugh was one of my starting heroes but as I grew up, Jacques Kallis became my favorite player. No one was as good as him. You can talk about Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting and many others but Kallis was equally good with both bat and ball. Ellyse Perry is right there along with Kallis,” Chris shared. “I am not sad for this Australian team because they have won a lot. I wanted a new champion and now want Smriti to fulfil her dreams. It is good to see Indian crowd packing the stadiums. From the tele, it feels the atmosphere has been great throughout the tournament.”
His friend and business partner, Adam, couldn’t resist a playful jab. “I am not as big a cricket lover as Chris but he is obsessed about Smriti. He keeps showing me her batting clips and I have also become her fan now,” Adam said with a big laugh. To prove he wasn’t joking, Chris pulled out his phone, opened YouTube, and revealed a search history topped by “Smriti Mandhana,” followed by “Sports Central,” “Stranger Things,” the golfer “Athaya Thitikul,” “Jemimah Rodrigues,” and “Fatima Sana.”
As our chat wound down, with Chris and Adam sharing tips on the best spots to explore in Hobart, Chris wrapped up warmly: “Cricket, food, beer and whiskey. These are the loves of my life now. Enjoy your stay in Hobart and hope India win the World Cup. My best wishes to the team and Smriti Mandhana.”
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