‘Cricket is like religion’: India fans flock to MCG open training

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Harsh Bhatt says he was particularly interested in today’s session, partially because of what’s been happening off the pitch.

Team India have clashed with the media during the current tour. Superstar Virat Kohli was involved in a verbal altercation with a female reporter at Melbourne Airport on Thursday.

At a press conference on Saturday, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja failed to answer any questions from Australian reporters, only answering a few questions in Hindi.

But these interactions don’t seem to be weighing on the minds of the Indian players.

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Team captain Rohit Sharma dismissed a question from a reporter about the issue at a press conference today, saying he was “not aware” of any controversy.

And the fans don’t seem to mind much either.

“It’s fun to have a bit of fun … It’s part and parcel of the game,” said Bhatt. “As long as [the team] put their best foot forward on the pitch. That’s what matters.”

Friends Suny Garg and Mohit Birla are just pleased that they’re able to get so close to the players. Cricket fans since childhood, they say it’s impossible to even get a glimpse of training back in India.

“I’ve never watched them [practice] live. It’s my first experience,” says Birla. “In India, there’s too many people everywhere… there are less here.”

The Australian team also held a similar open training session on Monday afternoon. But there were smaller crowds, no chants, and definitely no conch shells.

“Cricket is like religion in India,” Choudhary said, draping her big flag over her shoulders. “I think we’ve just grown up with that love.

“I’m super excited to see [the team]. And I hope they’ll have a good practice so then they can perform and outdo what they’ve done before,” she said.