A Special Weekend for Bharat Barmy Army

Now there's a flag!
By Raks Patel - 30 Aug, '02
August 30 2002

Raks Patel, a founder of the Bharat Army Army, a large group of diehard India fans who support and follow the Indian cricket team around the world, writes about their experiences after our big Test victory at Headingley!

It was in the early hours of Monday morning that five members of the Bharat Barmy Army who had stayed over in Leeds, after foreseeing an Indian Victory after Sunday's play, made their way to Headingley. Not knowing the area well enough, they simply followed the cab driver who was taking Angus Fraser to the ground, from the hotel where they had stayed overnight. They reached the ground and set off in a local cafe to grab a quick bit to charge their batteries, where they bumped into Mike Gatting munching on a bacon roll!

The area of the West Stand that the BBA occupied during Sunday's play was already almost full by the time they entered the ground on Monday morning, and it was obvious that this was going to be a special day and a special atmosphere.

The inevitable happened, and after Hussain's wicket the rest as they say was history!!!! What was not seen on TV, and must be reported, is the way the India supporters danced outside the players pavilion after the match with the dhol, continuing into the local Public House for at least 3 hours! Right there, the BBA recruited another 30 members. A young lad livened up the fans even more with his excellent dhol playing and the supporters were dancing on the streets of Leeds!

What made this occasion so special for many of the young Indians in England was that not only was this the first time they saw India win a Test Match abroad so comprehensively, on this occasion they were there to witness it LIVE!

The only hope is that this can be stretched to a series win and round off what has truly been an INDIAN SUMMER!