Bhangra and beer bonhomie

The India-Scotland game may have been a non-starter, but there was no shortage of enthusiasm or colour at Kingsmead. A group of about 150 to 200 employees from Nokia in India had come along on a three-day, all-expenses paid trip. It was a pretty grand affair too – they’d been put up at the Hilton, overlooking the cricket ground.

The drizzle was incessant, but so were the antics that this group was up to. The Indian flag wasn’t in short supply, and every time the rains eased even slightly, huge cheers went up in the anticipation of the covers being removed. That it didn’t happen didn’t worry them either – there were other avenues to explore.

Sensing the mood in the crowd, the DJ sensibly switched to bhangra pop, which went down perfectly with this group. Many of them were soon on the grassy banks despite the rains, and when a group of Scottish supporters came over, the bonhomie – albeit after several glasses of beer – was clear for all to see.

As the evening wore on and chances of play became remote, the enthusiasm flagged off slightly, but the gang will have another opportunity to demonstrate their talents on Friday, when India take on Pakistan. Just how well they will bond with the equally passionate Pakistan fans remains to be seen, though.