Team India received a festive and emotional welcome as they landed in Adelaide on Monday ahead of the second ODI against Australia. The city, often called the “City of Churches,” turned into a mini India for a few hours as hundreds of fans gathered at the airport, filling it with Diwali cheer.
With the second match of the three-game series set to be played at the iconic Adelaide Oval on Thursday, Indian supporters in Australia made sure to greet the players in a special way – traditional clothes, trumpets, banners, and a lot of love.
Fans Bring the Diwali Spirit to Adelaide
Among the crowd was the Australia-based fan group Fans India, who came out in large numbers. Dressed in festive Indian attire and carrying colourful banners, they celebrated Diwali with their cricketing heroes. One standout banner read: “Happy Diwali Team India, Welcome to Adelaide”, capturing the joy of the moment.
Fans waved posters and mini bats, hoping for autographs and many didn’t go back disappointed. Several players and members of the support staff stopped to sign memorabilia, chat briefly, or click selfies. For many fans, this was a Diwali to remember.
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A Rohit Sharma Fan’s Dream Come True
One fan, Tushal – a nurse based in Melbourne had a particularly emotional moment. Knowing this could be Rohit Sharma’s final tour of Australia as a player, he worked extra hours to save up and book a room in the same hotel as Team India in Adelaide. His goal? To get a signature on a huge poster he made that read:
“The Hitman has arrived at Adelaide Oval. My forever captain.”
And the dream came true. Rohit spotted the banner, walked over, and signed it personally.
“I’m emotional right now,” said Tushal. “Rohit Sharma saw my poster and signed it. My wait is complete. He’s the best. I hope he scores runs here. I want to be his lucky charm.”
A Sweet Moment with Kohli
Another touching scene came when Virat Kohli exited the airport. While he was mobbed by fans eager for selfies and autographs, a small voice stood out – a young girl politely asking, “Virat, can I have a photograph please?”
Kohli stopped, smiled, and walked over to take a photo with her, gently patting her back before heading to the team bus. Those around jokingly said, “We should have been kids. They always have an advantage.”
Thumbs-Ups and Greetings All Around
As fans surrounded the team bus, Rohit, Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer – seated near the front – smiled, waved, and gave thumbs-ups through the window. Others, like head coach Gautam Gambhir, Sitanshu Kotak, Dhruv Jurel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, acknowledged fans with Diwali greetings and handshakes.
Some lucky supporters even managed to get pictures with the players once they reached the hotel – a moment of pure joy for those far from home.
A Diwali Away from Home, But Not Without Celebration
While the players and staff are spending this Diwali away from their families, Indian fans in Adelaide made sure they didn’t miss the warmth of the festival. Despite the late hour, a few cricketers – including Nitish Kumar Reddy and Jaiswal – even hit the gym after checking in, showing their focus ahead of the next game.
India are set to train at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday afternoon as they prepare for the must-win second ODI, hoping to bounce back after a tough seven-wicket loss in Perth.
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