As we trooped into the ground, you could be forgiven for thinking that this was a home game for India. Thousands of Indian supporters in various shades of sky-blue and draped in tri-color capes thronged at the gates. Bhangra music blared from passing cars.
Fans warmed up their vocal chords by rehearsing their chants. Last-minute maneuvers were being discussed to smuggle in whistles, hooters and other noise-making equipment that was inexplicably banned from the grounds. If you looked hard enough you saw some English fans as well.
The first thing that strikes you about the Headingley Carnegie Stadium is that it is a small ground. It is not as picturesque as some of the other grounds in the UK, but the church spire and quaint red-brick buildings make for an attractive backdrop. The day was cold, gray and soggy but there was a buzz all around the ground.
We took our seats in the stands behind square-leg. Over here the Bharat Army held center-stage with cricket virtually a subplot to this, bigger spectacle. Many of the fans had turned out in elaborate costumes. Batman and the Joker rooted for India alongside each other. A rather feisty looking Freddie Flintstone chugged beers with Zorro. Chewbacca was sighted poorly disguised in the India team colors.
India in the United Kingdom 2007
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