Swami Army full of joy on the 8.30 service from ‘Little India’
Thousands from Sydney’s Indian community made the trip from ‘Little India’ to the SCG. Harrison Finlay joined the throng of excited fans from Harris Park to the blockbuster Test.
NSW
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Sydney’s Indian community has come out loud and proud, with thousands making the trip from “Little India” to the SCG.
The Daily Telegraph travelled with the mass of cricket fans on the 8.30 train from Harris Park, with carriages packed full of supporters wearing orange, blue and green.
Booming chants of “Go India” and waving flags filled the train as fans couldn’t wait to see stars such as Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Seeing the comradery and excitement on the train was fascinating, and the joy was infectious for everyone onboard, no matter who you supported.
Some people onboard were seeing India once again, while for others, it was their first time, including many eager Harris Park Cricket Club players who were buzzing and couldn’t wait to get to the SCG.
The club has a stunning 98% of players of South Asian origin, as a member of the Cricket Club, Raj Panchal says the overwhelming support makes it feel like a fixture in India.
“It’s an away tour for Australia,” Mr Panchal said.
Having been to the last four Indian tours of Australia, the cricket fanatic who went to the Boxing Day Test for his honeymoon, organised the trip for their many players because it’s an experience that they couldn’t miss.
“It’s always something that we have to be at…whenever it is India vs Australia, there is always big crowds that come together,” Mr Panchal said.
Mumbai native but now Western Sydney resident Harshal Wadaye was ecstatic that he had the chance to see India play again at the SCG and is very confident the result will favour the touring side.
“It’s exciting because we lost at the MCG, and we are going to see (India) get revenge,” said Mr Wadaye.
Upon arriving at Central, the festivities went to another level on the tram line to Moore Park as the banter between Australians and Indians got everyone up and about.
With this test tipped to get a record crowd, the lines for trams on Chalmers St and the number of fans walking to the ground made it very clear that the record of 44,901 could be shattered.
The journey from Harris Park to the SCG was something that every cricket fan should experience.
The trip with fans was full of energy and a great way to start a day at the cricket.
Originally published as Swami Army full of joy on the 8.30 service from ‘Little India’
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