Indians from around the world catch up in London over a Cup of T20. Sunday MiD DAY listens in to their reunion story
Indians from around the world catch up in London over a Cup of T20. Sunday MiD DAY listens in to their reunion story
"Why don't we catch up for some cricket? I'll meet you for the semis at The Oval." This seems to be the plan all the youngsters we spoke to, have. The T20 World Cup hosted by England is not all about cheering for India but has also become an excuse for friends, whose work or studies have kept them apart, to reunite. However, these youngsters are not going all out. They are on budget holidays, which helps them save for the real wallet crusher the match tickets.
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Vishaal Mehta (left) and his friend Varun Kothari are going for the T20 World Cup PIC/ BIPIN KOKATE and Kolhapur-based Shrenik Ghodawat (right) with his friends (above)
Vishaal Mehta and Varun Kothari, 22, students
Vishaal, Varun and three of their school friends are off to England. But not all at the same time. Vishaal flies out early on Monday whereas Varun will join him at a later date after finishing work. Their other friends have already begun their holiday from various destinations like Paris. Their meeting point England. More specifically, a rented apartment near Hyde Park. They say, "We planned the holiday nearly a month ago. We really wanted to get out. The T20 World Cup motivated us to increase our holiday by a few days." The five are spending eight-nine days in the capital.
During this time, they will also meet friends flying to London after holidays in the US and catch up with family and friends near London. They won't go for all the matches though. They booked their tickets for the semi-finals online at 110 pounds but are waiting to hear from Vishaal's cousin in London who has promised VIP passes. After shelling such a sum they are glad for the cheap accommodation of a rented apartment for 125 pounds per day which works out to 25 pounds each. This, Varun says, is cheaper than a hotel. "Hotels cost Rs 8,000-10,000 a night for two. The youth hostels also charge 27 pounds a night. The apartment comes fully furnished. We plan to have a simple breakfast at the apartment just some milk and toast."
Since the three of them have been to London before they are going to skip tourist spots and instead camp in Scotland, stay on a houseboat in the Netherlands and catch a concert at Hyde Park featuring Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, The Killers and many more. They are also planning to catch the first round of Wimbledon and wanted to make it for the F1 race too, but the latter clashes with the date of the T20 final. Their trip has been partly funded by their parents and partly from money they have saved.
Mananjay Mehta, 24, businessman
Taking a lead from his cousin Vishaal, Mananjay too has decided to join his friends in London for the matches. This is a separate group. They are a much larger bunch of friends, with 10-12 of them and more that might join later. Mananjay, though, made his plans last minute. His friends have been planning this vacation for a while now and have already left for the UK. Apart from hanging with his friends from here, he is also making plans to meet a few others who have been working there for a few years. Mananjay will not do the tourist thing either and is going specifically for the matches and to spend some time with his friends. He says, "I got tickets for matches on the 16th and am awaiting tickets for the 18th." Like his cousin, he's rented an apartment too. "I was going to book a hotel, but my friend suggested I rent an apartment. Hotels can get dingy and it's difficult to book last minute. Apartments are easily available." He is sharing the one room house with a friend. His other friends have also done the same and are sharing rented houses with a few friends.
Shrenik Ghodawat, 23, managing director, Ghodawat Energy Limited
Shrenik and six of his friends are combining business and leisure on their England trip. They have known each other right through school and college. Now that they have settled all over the country Shrenik in Kolhapur, his friend Utkaarsh Mody in Mumbai and few others in Hyderabad and Delhi, these cricket crazy boys are coming together for the Twenty20 World Cup. Shrenik says, "My business meetings were fixed two months ago. My cousin informed me about the T20 matches, so I extended the trip by two-three days." The friends love the sport its full length version and have been playing it in school and college; they also love to travel, so the T20 seemed like the perfect plan. Says Utkaarsh, "My trip is also business cum leisure. It's been a lot of time since we have taken a holiday together. We went to Brazil last year."
Shrenik says that since they all come from business families, it was easier taking time off. Coordinating schedules did not take much time.
A major part of their expense has been reduced by staying with a friend. Yet Utkaarsh insists, "It's going to be a budgeted trip. There will be an outward limit to whatever we do and spend." Shrenik says that for travelling, an Oyster card is the best and cheapest option. The card lets you store credit for up to 90 pounds and can be used on major public transports in London.
They hope to catch the semi-finals and finals and even if India is in neither, they think that it's their money's worth as they love the sport itself. If their schedules permit, they might also watch the Wimbledon and Formula One race.
Shrenik says that if travelling to London, you would need at least Rs 1.25 lakh for air tickets, transportation within London, match tickets, food and accommodation.
Mihir Suvanam, 21, student
Unlike the others who are using the T20 as a happy excuse to catch up with friends and family, Mihir and his friend Amit Shah, both from Mumbai, have gone to London specifically for the Twenty20 World Cup matches. The two have been there for a week, and have got one ticket for the semi-finals and are now trying to get another. Since they have just graduated and finances are limited, their trip is restricted to London. Mihir says, "Travelling around Europe will be expensive." They are staying at the YMCA on Old Street from where the cricketing venues are easily accessible by public transport and they have their Oyster card for cheap travel.
Mihir says, "The Backpacker Co helped me out. At the YMCA we pay 26 pounds per night per person. They suggested places to visit that were not touristy and not too expensive." The two also hope to get tickets to watch Wimbledon matches. But as Mihir says, it won't be an easy task, "You have to camp for a day outside the venue. The queue is a day-long."
Mihir has saved up for the trip and his father's pitched in. He says, "Even if India is not in the finals, it won't be money lost. London is a beautiful city and it's a great place to watch the finals in. The India-Pakistan practice match did not seem like a practice match but more like a proper match. We are going to wear the Indian jersey and paint our faces."
Staying around Central London
> One bedroom rented apartment at Hyde Park: u00a3125/night
> Bed&Breakfast at Earls Court Kensington: u00a350/ night for doubles
> 3 bedroom, 1 reception room, 1 bathroom at Offley Road: u00a3450/ week
> Travelodge, budget hotel at various locations in Central London: Rates vary at the different locations, u00a365-u00a3102
> Smart Hyde Park Inn hostel: u00a312.50/night for a shared room
> By tube Oval: 10 minutes
> Lords: 20 minutes
> Trent Bridge: 45 minutes
travellers say
> Get hold of your match tickets first
> Plan and book the trip
> Visit https://www.londontown.com/ for other events that are happening in the city
> Rent an apartment on https://www.londonchoice.com/ or check into a youth hostel that is in Central London as it's easier to travel to the venues
> Even if you are offered a package deal with hotel accommodation, they are often far way from the venues so you spend the money that you saved on travelling
> Get a Schengen visa and visit the rest of Europe as well
> Pick the free team jerseys distributed outside stadiums before the semi-finals and finals
> Don't forget to shop and party hard
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