‘A piece of home’: Indian diaspora celebrates women’s team win over Japan in Asian Games opener

NAGOYA: From Tokyo and Osaka to nearby towns such as Yokkaichi, the Indian diaspora drove down to Korogi Athletic Park on the outskirts of the city to watch the ‘pride of India’ in action.The Indian women’s cricket team did not disappoint, making short work of the Japanese challenge for an eight-wicket victory and a place in Sunday’s semifinal against Bangladesh. The result was never really in doubt, but what was striking was the spirit of the hosts and the spunk of the travelling Indian fans.Harmanpreet Kaur-led defending champions, seemingly in no mood for batting practice, opted to bowl first and dismissed Japan for a paltry 57. But not before openers Haruna Iwasaki and Ayaka Kato-Stafford helped themselves to three boundaries between them, drawing loud applause from the home fans and the dugout.The celebratory mood continued when Nonoha Yasumoto and Ayaka Kato-Stafford claimed the wickets of G Kamalini and Bharati Fulmali. For the Indian fans, Shafali Verma provided the entertainment, smashing an unbeaten 40 off just 15 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes.The makeshift stands may have had plenty of empty seats, but the decibel levels generated by the Indian supporters more than made up for it. After all, it is not every day they get to watch their cricketing stars in action on Japanese soil.Japan-born Ishan Kumar Lal, whose parents are from New Delhi, felt the occasion could not have offered a better advertisement for cricket in the country.“Cricket in the Asian Games and India being a part of it is insanely big,” said the towering Japan U-19 all-rounder.Ishan believes matches such as these can provide a much-needed push to the sport’s growing community in Japan.“Watching big teams like these is a great motivation for us to keep doing better and keep advertising cricket in Japan and showing cricket to Japanese people living in Japan and actually make this sport a bigger sport here,” he said.With mini Japan flags fluttering in the stands, it was hard to miss the huge Indian tricolour and placards displaying the fans’ love for their team.Param Vijay Kumar, a Mysuru-born techie living in Osaka, had travelled with a group of friends.“We are grateful that a match has brought a piece of home to us. There was no way we would have missed being here,” he said.For Sukruthi Ajay, originally from Bengaluru, the occasion stirred a strong sense of patriotism.“We are here to support both countries because we love India and we respect Japan. It is a mixed match, but our heart beats for India. To watch our team play in Japan is very special. We are also huge fans of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and it was a delight to watch Smriti Mandhana and Shreyanka Patil as well,” said the homemaker-turned-content creator.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.