Flag march and cheers: Indian cricket fans set for explosive boxing day clash at the MCG

Flag march, Rishabh Pant face masks and thousands of Indian flags — the Bharat Army has arrived at the MCG for one of the most hotly anticipated Boxing Day Tests in memory.

Indian cricket fans have brought plenty of colour and noise to the MCG ahead of one of the most hotly anticipated Boxing Day Test’s in history.

Draped in vibrant blue jerseys and the iconic tricolour flag, the Bharat Army — India’s devoted group of cricket fans — filled the stands and the MCG concourse to cheer on their nation, with the series against Australia tied at 1-1.

Indian fans are going to bring plenty of colour and noise to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia. Picture Lachie Millard.

Bharat Army’s Ajaysinh Sindha said Indian cricket fans would bring high energy and enthusiasm to the big day.

“The series is on a crucial stage. India has a really good record at the MCG in the past eight years and we haven’t lost any test matches here so we are pretty confident we’re going to go through this one easily,” he said.

Members of the Bharat Army will hand out at least 200 Indian flags and face masks with Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant’s face to wear when the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman takes to the field

Supporters made plenty of noise as they marched to the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere before the first ball was even bowled with live music and dancing.

Indian fan Nitin Saby said the atmosphere at this year’s Boxing Day test has set a high benchmark.

“This event is setting the precedent where you see different people coming from different countries and religions to the match and it’s such a beautiful day out there too,” he said.

See if you feature in the Herald Sun’s coverage of the event.

Aayush Bhansali and Shlok Mehta at Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Picture: Himangi Singh

Arsh Khiani and Ahan Khiani. Picture: Himangi Singh

Sonali, Parag and Shaunak Jog. Picture: Himangi Singh

Raja, Ram, Akhilesh, Govind and Vinod. Picture: Himangi Singh

Dhruvin, Vidhi, Mangirish, Rajeev, Niranjan and Mishmash. Picture: Himangi Singh

Saurabh Patel with Hiral, Arjun, Parthiv and Yesha. Picture: Himangi Singh

Mukesh Arjan with Rina , Dhyani, Meha, Dhiyan Halai. Picture: Himangi Singh

Ravi Tiwari with Mira and Namrata. Picture: Himangi Singh

Tarish Sharma, Akshay Kumar, Vaishali Wahi, Pavani Thota. Picture: Himangi Singh

Sukhbir, Simranjeet, Sukhvinder, Lovepreet. Picture: Himangi Singh

Param, Tejas, and Anshika. Picture: Himangi Singh

Nilesh, Sneha, Ram and Rishi. Picture: Himangi Singh

Nitin, Sonam, Kimaya, Aayan Saby. Picture: Himangi Singh

Manish and Arvind. Picture: Himangi Singh

Rav, Ani, Aru and Rev. Picture: Himangi Singh

Indian fans have packed out the MCG on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Himangi Singh

Jassie, Binny with Rajveer and Ranveer. Picture: Himangi Singh

Manan, Maahee, Kierron and Angaddh. Picture: Himangi Singh

Jugbir Dala, Aditya Dala, Sachin Dala, Neeraj Kumar. Picture: Himangi Singh

Priyansh, Kumbhaj, Siddhant, Soham. Picture: Himangi Singh

The Janagarjana Dhol Pathak group made plenty of noise outside the MCG. Picture: Himangi Singh

Sahil, Sri, Ari, and Anna. Picture: Himangi Singh

Divesh and Manish. Picture: Himangi Singh

Jahanvi and Rimmy. Picture: Himangi Singh

Jasraj and Raj. Picture: Himangi Singh

Arthur, Shanaya, Jasmit and Manjeet Kaur. Picture: Himangi Singh