Sharmistha Gooptu in Birmingham
Yesterday, Shubman Gill’s 150, his 200 and then his 250 were greeted by sounds of the conch so loud that it reverberated as far out as the media enclosure. And again, when Gill walked onto the field after tea, a loud shankh and calls of ‘go captain’ and a ball in the tricolour were thrown in the air in the Eric Hollies stand. Again the conch, as Gill hit another boundary in his partnership with Akash Deep. Clusters of supporters in bright yellow apparel held the gaze in the stand even as more tricolour balls were thrown into the air.
One must say this of the British supporters – their chants supporting their team need to be commended. Even in crisis (cricket-wise) the chants don’t stop, telling the team they have an army behind them egging them on. I have seen that kind of support for the Indian hockey team in Paris, with supporters almost carrying them to victory on their shoulders. Here at Edgbaston against the roars of the English supporters, the Indians are more understated. But they are here from as far off places as Mumbai and Norway and Northampton.
This morning I met Uday and Malavika, a couple who have come all the way from Norway to watch the Test. Their only regret – they did not get tickets for the third Test at Lord’s. And now, as I write the Indian chants and whistles are sounding high, Siraj just dismissed two batters in successive deliveries – Root and Stokes!
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