Even the most ardent of Indian cricket fans would have been heartbroken as the visitors were stung by some fiery Aussie pace to be bowled out for 150 on Day One of the opening Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series in Perth. But, not the Bharat Army at the Optus Stadium. In fact, according to the troupe’s founder Rakesh Patel, their 500-strong ‘force’ at Perth got more vocal in support of the Indian team. 

“Cricket Australia was kind enough to offer us two block bays at the Stadium — that’s a total of 500 seats — and our enthusiastic bunch were only too happy to fill them. Day One to Day Four witnessed a full scale celebration for the Bharat Army. We’re still dancing,” Patel told mid-day over the phone from Perth on Monday following India’s whopping 295-run win over Australia.