Champions Trophy diary: A Modi look-alike fan and his followers

By K.R. Nayar 

Dubai.  Cricket fans lining up to enter the stadium love to have fun. They cheered for one fan who looked similar to Indian Prime Minister Modi. A few, acting like his followers, cheered him into the stadium while calling out, “Modi, Modi, welcome Modi.” He enjoyed the attention, and when this reporter asked for a photo, he waved just as Modi does during a rally. Incidentally, Modi was present during the 2023 ICC World Cup final in Ahmedabad and had consoled the Indian team when they lost the final. In 2024, he hosted the T20 World Cup-winning team for breakfast at his residence.

A look-alike Modi fan and his followers. Photo by K.R. Nayar  

Indian and Pakistani photographers’ hunt for autographs

 

It was interesting to watch an Indian and a Pakistani photographer together requesting autographs from Indian players. One wanted an autograph on a cricket bat, while the other wanted one on a cricket ball. Suman Chattopadhyay, from India, is a freelance photographer with years of experience and always secures the entire team’s autograph on his bat, alongside the printed names of every player. Nasir Abdullah, who works for Pakistan’s Scoreline magazine, wanted Arshdeep Singh’s autograph on a cricket ball. 

Nasir Abdullah and Suman Chattopadhya with their prized possessions. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Chattopadhyay is a well-known figure among cricketers, whenever the security stops him, Indian players request that they allow him to enter. He has published a book featuring rare photos of Tendulkar dating back to his school days. He sold 16 copies of that book autographed by Tendulkar for Rs 100,000 and donated the proceeds to the charity run organized by Tendulkar and Yuvraj in 2018.

 

Why no talk about the advantage for Indian media?

 

The continuous discussion about the Indian team having an advantage by playing only in the Dubai stadium led journalists to make jokes about it. One journalist felt it was unfair to focus solely on the players’ advantage while ignoring the perks enjoyed by Indian journalists. In fact, all journalists have a huge advantage, as they are stationed in the same hotel, travel the same routes, and sit in the same seats at the stadium. Then, one journalist reminded them of how far they had to travel during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup—where India played their first match in Chennai, followed by matches in New Delhi and even Lucknow. Incidentally, when New Zealand called for a huddle with their coach, Gary Stead, the group ready to click them consisted solely of Indian media.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead surrounded by Indian media. Photo New Zealand Cricket  

Man with the OM shirt and his tale

 

It was his colourful OM shirt that caught everyone’s attention. When approached, he said that he had gotten it from India and planned to wear it for the final. Bharat Doiphode, an architect who was part of the team that built the Dubai stadium, remarked that he never misses a match held here and is proud that this venue is one of the best in the world, consistently serving as a neutral ground. 

Bharat Doiphode wearing the OM shirt. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Fans were seen greeting the Team India bus by shouting “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” Doiphode feels that he is an Indian to the core and that no one will ever question his nationality since his name begins with “Bharat,” a name by which India is also known.

 

Early birds walk less to the stadium

 

For most matches in this Champions Trophy, the stadium filled up slowly; however, for the final, it filled up quickly. Being a Sunday, many fans decided to arrive in time when the gates opened, resulting in a long line of cars waiting to enter the venue. Those who arrived early had a shorter distance to walk to the stadium.

 

Cars line up to enter the parking area of the stadium. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

A group of fans made the atmosphere even more lively by singing old Hindi songs. Many wore stylishly decorated sunglasses and held placards featuring the words “boundary” and “six” as makeshift sunshades. As the weather has suddenly turned hot, many wrapped themselves in the Indian flag.

 

A fan with his stylishly decorated sunglasses. Photo by K.R. Nayar    

A photographer who tried to spot a New Zealand fan—or the New Zealand flag—gave up after a one-hour wait. Interestingly, all the seats in the stadium are painted blue, and when Indian fans filled the seats wearing their team’s blue jerseys, the entire stadium turned into a sea of blue.