It is clear from the live telecasts and streams of any recent international cricket match that fans of teams from South Asian countries are the most lively in the world.
They come to the stadiums draped in team regalia, including traditional musical instruments and drums. The fans’ festivity during a match can even upstage the game they came to witness.
An international cricket match in Australia involving Bangladesh, India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka is no exception to this phenomenon.
Former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar says the Indian fans are showing the Australian public how to support a team.
I think as fans, whenever India plays, they all come out in their droves, and they show the Australian public how to support a team, how to get behind them, how to enjoy a day of cricket.Lisa Sthalekar
The first presence of any South Asian fans at a match in Australia was reported in 1897 when Indian-born English batsman Kumar Ranjitsinhji played in the Ashes.
In this episode of Colours of Cricket, we will also hear how fan groups like the Papare Band and Bharat Army are formed and how they inject so much vibe and energy in the galleries.
Listen above, or follow in the SBS Radio app or in your favourite podcast app such as or to catch each episode in the eight-part series.
Hosts: Preeti Jabbal and Kulasegaram Sanchayan
Lead Producer: Deeju Sivadas
Producers: Sahil Makkar, Vatsal Patel, Abhas Parajuli
Sound Design: Max Gosford
Program Manager: Manpreet Kaur Singh
Advisor: Patrick Skene
Colours of Cricket is a collaborative project from SBS Radio's South Asian language programs; SBS Bangla, SBS Gujarati, SBS Hindi, SBS Malayalam, SBS Nepali, SBS Punjabi, SBS Sinhala, SBS Tamil, and SBS Urdu.
More episodes of Colours of Cricket
Why are South Asian players underrepresented in Australian cricket?
