Triumph in the Caribbean through a fan’s eyes

A North American fan’s journey following Team India across North America and the Caribbean

By Deepak Jhurani

I was one of the thousands of cricket fans who followed the Indian team during the recently concluded Men’s T20 World Cup. Witnessing Rohit Sharma’s team lift the trophy, marking India’s first championship in 13 years at a global tournament, was the icing on the cake. It made all the troubles I endured, from purchasing expensive tickets to navigating the logistics of flying in the Caribbean, entirely worthwhile.

All our efforts and the money we invested were very well spent. Both time and money — I have no complaints at all. I had so much fun every day, especially because of the way Team India performed. All the victories were really convincing. The only match where India seemed to be in a bit of trouble was against Pakistan. But the way we came back, after scoring only 119 on a treacherous New York pitch, in that game was amazing.

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The good thing about this World Cup was that the bowlers always brought us back into the game. India used to be known for having a very strong batting lineup, but these days, the bowlers win us more games than the batters.

Traveling to different venues in North America was a fantastic experience. The first match I watched was the big India-Pakistan game, followed by the India-U.S. game. I was planning on watching the India-Canada match — for which I had a ticket — but had to skip it due to a work-related emergency.

After the U.S. leg of the tournament was over, I followed the team to Saint Lucia, then Guyana, and finally to Barbados for the final.

In the final, the way we defended 30 runs in the last five overs was amazing. No other team could have done it, especially against batters like Heinrich Klaasen, who is such a clean hitter of the ball. The way he was hitting all over the park, he would have won the game for South Africa quite easily. From that point, coming back into the game, I give a lot of credit to Hardik Pandya, who took Klaasen’s wicket and then also took out David Miller, the other set batter who was equally capable of taking the Proteas home.

Enter Bumrah. Whatever I write about Bumrah is not enough. He’s a champion bowler, who has a lethal combination of pace, guile, accuracy, and a big heart. The way he bowled in this tournament, he deserved the Man of the Tournament award.

Another player who deserves kudos is Captain Rohit Sharma, who gave us very good starts in almost all the matches, especially in the Super 8 clash in Saint Lucia against Australia. That was a fantastic inning. Watching that first over against Mitchell Starc, when he scored 29 runs, was a privilege.

I’m so happy that I was able to travel to watch all these games. Watching them from the stadium is a different experience. I’ve been doing it for the past two decades. I first started watching cricket with my dad. Cricket runs in my family. Even my mother keeps calling me to ask about the scores. We are a cricket family. Even though I’m now in Canada, which is a different time zone, I still manage to watch matches that India plays. I’ve traveled all over the world — to England, Australia, Dubai, Sri Lanka, and India, of course.

READ: Cricket in Big Apple: A tale of slow and late starts, and grand finishes (June 15, 2024)

Following the Indian cricket team has become more than just a hobby; it’s a way to stay connected with my roots and share unforgettable moments with fellow fans. The camaraderie in the stands, the joy of celebrating a wicket, and the collective sighs during tense moments create a unique atmosphere that can’t be replicated elsewhere. This World Cup journey through North America and the Caribbean added another chapter to my cherished memories as a die-hard cricket enthusiast.

(Deepak Jhurani is a tech executive based in Toronto.)