He is a DevOps Specialist who is currently enjoying the ‘cloud environment’ of Barbados while sporting a beard that catches the eye. That Shanti Priya Goyal is a cricket fan seems like an understatement. The Coforge employee and his tricolour beard have received plenty of attention at the T20 World Cup with him travelling around the United States and West Indies to support Team India.
“My journey from India to the US and West Indies for the T20 World Cup 2024 is driven by a deep passion for cricket and a strong sense of national pride,” he says. “The main intent to follow Team India in this T20 World Cup is to showcase my unwavering support for the Men in Blue. I feel my presence in the stadiums
boosts the morale of the players and creates a sense of unity among supporters. Travelling to the West Indies gave me a chance to experience a different culture, meet new people, and enjoy the local hospitality. It is an opportunity to celebrate cricket in a global context.”
Goyal says he decided to be part of this journey, as he knew that watching live matches, especially in a World Cup setting, would create unforgettable memories. “The thrill of being part of the crowd, witnessing key moments, and celebrating victories is unparalleled. Supporting our Indian national team on an
international stage like the T20 World Cup is a matter of pride for me. I feel all my effort and money that I spent is worth it,” he says. “I always wanted to support our cricket team in a unique way and then I thought of the tri-coloured beard concept in the 2023 ICC World Cup. I love my beard and I felt that’s a fantastic way to show my support for the Indian national cricket team during the ICC World Cups. The tricolour stripes on my beard are a bold and patriotic choice, echoing the vibrant orange, white, and green hues of India’s flag.”
With India set to take on South Africa in the final match at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, Goyal took a chartered flight so he wouldn’t miss the title clash after the long tournament.
“Being away from home for such a long time while my loving kids and my beloved wife are back home and missing their birthdays and big occasions while cheering for team India is a big challenge. However, the most challenging part of this entire journey was logistics and travel. The distance between venues in the US and the Caribbean islands was significant. The venues are spread across multiple islands in the Caribbean and cities in the US. Coordinating flights, accommodations, and local transportation was challenging and time-consuming,” he says.
The tropical climate, hot and humid weather, and the sudden rain showers did not help, laments Goyal. “The initial segment of the World Cup was held in the US and the later part moved to the West Indies, due to which there was a lot of travel involved, which was a costly affair,” he says. “While some stadiums had decent infrastructure, with larger seating capacity, it was difficult to procure tickets because of low availability. Despite such challenges and a tiring schedule, I cannot complain much because it was an amazing journey for me and I enjoyed every bit of it through proper planning and execution.”
Goyal says he booked flights, accommodations, and match tickets well in advance to avoid last-minute hassles. “I interacted with the local community and stayed informed. I packed smart and brought along snacks, water, and any other essentials that I might need at the stadiums. I stayed connected with social media and fan forums to be in touch with other Indian supporters. This helped me find friends, share tips, and stay updated on any changes or important information,” he says. “I am excited and ready for this mega final and I wish Team India win this by defeating South Africa. That would indeed be a dream come true for many fans and me. Winning the T20 World Cup would be a fantastic achievement for Team India. The excitement, the celebrations, and the sense of pride would be unforgettable. Let us hope our Indian cricket team performs at its best and brings the trophy home.”
Stay updated with the latest from T20 World Cup 2024. Explore T20 World Cup Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest-run getters and Highest Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup 2024. Check T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours , Most Fifties And Most HundredsIn T20 World Cup 2024.
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