Downunder had a hot Indian Summer

This Summer here in Australia was what could be termed as a 'hot Indian Summer' and not because of the mercury. In fact it was one of the coolest summers if we are to trust our thermometers, however we all know differently.. yes folks I'm talking about the cricket season that has just gone past.

Thought I would share with you a what living in Australia as an Indian cricket supporter is like. Being part of the 'Swamy army' here in Australia is not an easy task, its like being on the front line. Each Indian supporter feels the pain when India looses matches. In india they analyse and whinge and re-analyse.. But those of us who live downunder can't get up and forget it the next day.

A typical Day after an India Loss: As soon as i walk into work i have a few emails waiting for me reminding me how India lost the match..then i walk into the coffee room and someone asks me (with a cheeky smile on their face ) if i have read the sports section this morning.. finally when i make it to my desk i have a few visitors who want to discuss how good the Australian cricket team played how they are the world champions .. on my way home i pick up the evening news paper and it talks about how the India lost.. as you can imagine I never look forward to the mornings after India has lost a big game to Australia. But its not all doom and gloom, for everything i get i give back with interest :) ..waiting for that elusive win, making sure i forward a few headlines to people and make my visits to various desks and bring up the topic of cricket :)..

Might I add that its all in the right spirit. We all have a good laugh about it. Growing up in Aussieland we take our sport seriously, and that's about all we take seriously.

This summer well it was no different except hotter and spicier just like a good madras curry or as we would say in Aussie slang 'the indians gave the aussies a bit of curry'. The controversies and the monkey business added fuel to aftermarth of a serving of curry and made for endless banter at friday drinks.
Some personal highlights for me from this summer include :-
- Watching India Vs Australia at the SCG in a sea of Blue with the constant beats of the Dhol.
- Being the only Indian supporter on a bus full of Sri Lankan supporters on way back from the Canberra game where India Lost to Srilanka. I was brave enough to keep my India T-shirt on. I think after surviving that ordeal i have come out a stronger person ;)
- Watching India collapse in the T20 with 5 other Indian families over Dinner, watching everyone loose their appetite and recieving 20 SMSs from my Aussie buddies.
- Reading the million and one articles the Aussie press wrote on Bhaji, its a love hate relationship.
- Last but not least Walking into work with the biggest smile on my face after India won the One-Day series.

Cricket they say was a dying sport here in Australia but thanks to a hot indian summer its alive and kicking!