Cricket World Cup: Team India Counting on Local Support in Clash Against Pakistan
Indian fans in Australia are all set to back their team to the hilt during the World Cup match against rivals Pakistan. In an event organised in Adelaide days before the clash, many turned up to wish the players.
The World Cup fan zone in Adelaide was covered in the blue of India on Wednesday as the Indian cricket team was presented to the local Indian community. The event was organised by the South Australian Government ahead of the crucial India vs Pakistan clash in the city. (Complete coverage of the World Cup)
The state of South Australia has a 26,000 strong Indian community. In fact in the last five years, more migrants have come to South Australia from India than any other country. This means Team India will not be short of support come the 15th of February when they take on arch rivals Pakistan. (Also read: Rohit Sharma among ICC's Top 10 debutants)
"We've spent three months in Australia this summer, out of which one month was in Adelaide. We have lots of fans here and get a lot of support here", said Indian captain MS Dhoni at the event.
The India-Pakistan clash may still be four days away but chants of "Jeetega Bhai Jeetega, India Jeetega" (India will win) reverberated outside the Adelaide Oval as each of the 15 members of the Indian team were introduced to the public. (Related: How India registered a win at last)
Being at the event, one could easily be fooled into believing he's in India and not in Australia with fans enjoying Indian food and entertainment including Bollywood dance, face-painting and cultural music.
A fan wearing the Indian team jersey summoned up the mood best "World Cup main kuch bhi ho jaye, lekin Pakistan seh nahi harna."