Indian-American cricket followers had been the true winners of Lengthy Island world cup showdown

India could have simply crushed the US within the Twenty20 cricket World Cup on Wednesday however the true winners had been the throngs of Indian-People who caught the massive match in individual.

Followers with ties to each international locations packed Nassau County Worldwide Stadium on Lengthy Island toting indicators that confirmed off their break up allegiance with phrases like, “USA is residence. India is coronary heart” and “I reside within the US however my coronary heart all the time belongs to India.”

“I gotta go for the US as a result of, it’s a house sport and I gotta rep,” mentioned 30-year-old Mayank Kohli, a first-generation Indian-American from Philadelphia, when requested who he was rooting for. “However low key, I obtained my India shirt on beneath, so I win both approach.”

Aarushi Agrawal, 18, was additionally torn.

“Our mother and father are from India however we had been born right here, so I wasn’t certain which crew to assist,” mentioned Agrawal, 18, who grew up in Connecticut explaining the sport guidelines to all of her associates.

Each the US and Indian groups got here into the match undefeated Wednesday — prompting each groans and cheers from the gang.

Ankur Barot, 39, turned out together with his USA-loving 13-year-old son holding an indication studying “Dad vs. Son,” and an Indian flag over his head whereas the celebrities and stripes flew over his boy.

“When the US was doing nicely, he was excited and I used to be upset, and vice-versa,” mentioned Barot, who was born in India however is an American now after serving six years within the Military.

“Yesterday, my son advised me he needed to assist the US, not India. India is my residence nation however if you wish to go for the US, that’s positive,” he mentioned. “It broke my coronary heart a bit bit, however he’s American and he loves the US.”

India handily defeated the US by seven wickets to maneuver onto the “tremendous eight” spherical. The US can advance if it beats Eire on Friday.

“We’re so happy with the American cricket crew. They’re incredible. They hustle, they play exhausting. At present they performed their hearts out,” mentioned Bobby Singh Grewal, 51, who was born in India however moved to America in 1995.

For a lot of followers, nonetheless, India’s win got here second to the fun of seeing their beloved sport within the US.

“It means quite a bit to have the cricket World Cup in America,” Agrawal mentioned.

“Regardless of the actual fact we’re not within the nation our mother and father got here from, we’re in a position to have a way of neighborhood and bond with strangers as a result of we glance Indian.”