New Delhi: Team India stand-in head coach VVS Laxman expressed his opinion on the Men in Blue taking part in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, saying that the team has been playing “fearless” cricket. According to him, this approach is the primary reason behind the wholehearted support of the Indian team in South Africa as well. The team has been receiving decent fan support despite being the visitors to the Rainbow Nation.
India are currently leading the four-match T20I series 2-1 and the final match is scheduled at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday. “What we have seen in these three matches is the fearless approach of this team,” Laxman said during a reception that was hosted for the Indian team on Thursday night in Johannesburg. Laxman weighed in on the fact that entertaining the fans is an important part of the game along with clinching the games.
A lovely evening at Joburg 😊
The Consulate General of India, Johannesburg hosted #TeamIndia for dinner yesterday ahead of the fourth T20I. #SAvIND | @indiainjoburg pic.twitter.com/6xpETwijIF
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 15, 2024
“During any tours to any foreign country, we play and try to entertain the crowd. And we always feel that we are playing at home. The reason for that is all the wonderful fans of the Indian cricket team – the Diaspora of India who settled down in various countries but still love the Indian team and the Indian cricketers. I don’t know if the support was for the home team or for our team (in SA). There was a lot more blue in the crowd than actually green,” Laxman added, as quoted by PTI.
SKY and IND-SA relations
Captain Suryakumar Yadav said that it was nice meeting the Indian community during a hectic tour. “It’s always good to meet the Indian community when we come away from home. It makes us feel like we are at home. It’s always good to have such a lovely evening in between a tournament and in between a bilateral series to really have some fun,” Suryakumar said ahead of the final showdown of the series.
Pearl Maphoshe, Chairman of Cricket South Africa requested the Indian squad to return to South Africa in 2025. “We cannot have enough of Indian teams in South Africa. We really love you. Someone said cricket in India is not a sport but a way of life,” Maphose said. He made a plea to the Indian team to come back next year as cricket is becoming a religion in South Africa as well.
(With PTI inputs)
VVS Laxman said that the Indian team has displayed fearless approach in the three T20Is played against South Africa so far. He also reflected on the Indian diaspora in South Africa. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
