While the atmosphere before the finals was electric, with supporters for the Indian teams far outnumbering their Sri Lankan brethren outside the Wankhede stadium, there were fans from other countries too.
While the atmosphere before the finals was electric, with supporters for the Indian teams far outnumbering their Sri Lankan brethren outside the Wankhede stadium, there were fans from other countries too.
Heather Jackson (L) with Arno Lawrenz. Pic/ Bipin Kokate
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Among them was a couple from South Africa, Heather Jackson and Arno Lawrenz. The couple is in the country to celebrate their honeymoon and was supporting India, although they were wearing the South African jersey. Why were they supporting India? Gary Kirsten, a South African, is the coach of Indian cricket team.
Apart from carrying an Indian flag, the couple had also made a banner. It read, 'Come Home Guru Gary We Need You' with the drawing of the South Africa flag on it.
The couple has been in Mumbai for a week, before which they were in Agra. They said, "We are celebrating our honeymoon in India. We have been in Mumbai for a week but were unaware of the final match. It feels great to be here, although South Africa is not playing."
There was another South African couple cheering for India and Kirsten outside the stadium. Nadia Jacobs and her husband Mohammed Ashraf were cheering the Indian team with a banner reading, 'Incredible India, Incredible South African, Go Gary Kirsten, Go India Go'. They said, "So what if South Africa did not make it to the finals. We are proud that some one from South Africa has and that makes us proud". They were referring to Kirsten, of course.