Sharmistha Gooptu in London
The day before yesterday, I had been practically the sole Indian reporter to be present for the women’s team’s practice session — a disappointing scenario — as I have already written. Yesterday, as I walked towards the Grace Gates at Lord’s for the second ODI, I had wondered if at all I would see even an iota of the fanfare that we see at the men’s games.
Gladly, my apprehensions were misplaced.
In front of the Grace Gates, I encountered three gentlemen, two of them in India jerseys, one with Virat written on the back. These fans, originally from Gujarat and now living in Surrey and Leicester, had come all the way to Lord’s for the women’s match. To make a great Saturday of it, like many other families of Indians residing in the UK.
Another family of at least 10 old and young members from the Wembley area surrounded super fan Sudhir as he walked past the famous gate, in his trademark body paint, carrying the conch and the Tricolour. On popular demand, he blew his conch, to the great amazement of the security at the Grace Gates. “Yeh shankh nahi hai, hai jung e ailan, women’s team sabse mahaan (this in no conch, it’s the declaration of war, and our women’s team is the best,” bellowed Sudhir as the group around him cheered loudly.
While rain became the dominant player in the match and the series now stands equalised, fans and families did not seem greatly troubled. They had come for a day out and despite the rain they made the most of it with samosas and biryani from the Indian street food stall. Most say they love Smriti Mandhana and our Wembley group even wished her a happy belated birthday in true Indian style, with the old Hindi film song on camera: Bar bar din yeh aye, bar bar dil yeh gaye, tum ziyo hazaron saal, saal ke din ho kai hazaar.
For these supporters, it was Team India they had come to cheer for — not men or women. For them it’s not Virat or Smriti. It’s both.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news