Mera Bharat mahaan

England-based Bharat Kumar (centre) with other Indian fans outside the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala yesterday. Pic/Ashwin Ferro

Indian cricket fans they say come in all colours. This one though is in full white. Dressed in a crisp white shirt worn over a neatly ironed white dhoti-pant and a smart white turban to go with it, Bharat Kumar, 68, stands out from the crowd near Gate No. 4 just before the start of the India v New Zealand clash at the HPCA Stadium here on Sunday.

Turns out he's not just one of the oldest fans in the group, but also one of the most experienced in terms of World Cup matches. "I have watched all cricket World Cups since 1983, when Indian beat West Indies at Lord's," Bharat tells mid-day. Originally from Porbandar, Gujarat, Bharat moved to London in 1980 and took up small-time jobs before getting associated with a business. He does not divulge details, but insists he's well off and happy in a foreign country that has "looked after me for over four decades."

Love for Gavaskar and Kapil

Bharat claims that his love for former India opener Sunil Gavaskar and all-rounder Kapil Dev had him completely hooked to the game in the early 1980s. So, when India visited England for the World Cup, he had to be there. "I remember the ticket price for the Prudential World Cup final at Lord's on June 25 was four pounds. It may seem like nothing now, but was a princely sum back then and I couldn't afford it. So, I borrowed 50 pounds from my landlord in London because I could not afford to miss Indian cricket's biggest game," says Bharat. Batting first, India were bowled out for 183 in the 60-overs-per-side game. In reply, defending champions West Indies were cruising along at 57-2 with the prolific Vivian Richards (33 off 28, including seven fours) at the crease.

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Turning point of '83 final

That's when the game turned on its head, thanks to a breathtaking catch by Kapil. Bharat recalls it clearly. "Everyone thought that Richards would take West Indies through, but that catch was the turning point of that final. I remember Kapil ran backwards and took a high catch. Immediately, some of us ran towards him and tried to carry him. Fan invasions were common throughout the tournament and even after the match, we all ran onto the ground to celebrate India's win," says Bharat, who is hoping history can repeat itself at the World Cup final on November 19 in Ahmedabad. "The final is in Gujarat, my home state, and it will be great if Rohit Sharma can lift the World Cup there. This Indian team are a very good one and I don't see why they cannot [win]," Bharat signs off.