India never disappoints, and this tour has been no exception! After a hot start from England, India showed why they ranked number one in Test cricket, beating Baz’s men 4-1. Despite the series loss, India still delivered and gave our Barmy Army Travel members seven weeks of unforgettable memories.
Looking back on the India Tour, here are the top 10 moments starting with the win in Hyderabad…
1. Heroes of Hyderabad
Bazball landed in India and proved that test cricket is still alive and kicking. England secured one of the greatest test victories, which set the tone for a thrilling series of cricket that ensued.
Tom Hartley finished with figures of 7-62 on debut and spun England to a historic comeback. Ollie Pope produced what India captain Rohit Sharma described as “one of the best overseas knocks in India” to allow England back in the mix. Despite those heroics, Captain Stokes still took to Twitter to announce the Barmy Army as his MOTM.
Shop the Heroes of Hyderabad merchandise on the new Barmy Army online store!
2. Vibrant Vizag delivers
Visakhapatnam (also known as Vizag) hosted the second Test match. Set among foothills but also right on the Indian east coast, locals flocked and filled the stands from ball one. With Bumrah roaring, the home crowd had much to cheer about. But with scenes throughout the series that almost became accustomed, Finchy, the Barmy Army trumpeter, first got stuck in with Indian music during the second Test.
3. Netting in possibly the most remote cricket net in the World
Before the English cricket season, some of our members took advantage of a cricket net in the hills of Vizag. After a short cable cart ride offering some breathtaking views, there was only one thing to do: try and recreate some of the shots seen over the last two tests. From the video below, you can see it’s less Bazball and more village…
4. Small in stature but mighty in presence
One of our own, Ben Duckett, continues to make the Barmy Army proud with a trademark knock of 153 at just over a run a ball. Duckett put on a masterclass of how to play attacking cricket in India, sweeping any ball slightly off-line or length.
5. Reverse sweeps in Ranchi
While the result did not favour England in Ranchi, we headed out into the playing fields to see what the locals had to offer with bat and ball. On what can only be described as a flat wicket, there were plenty of sixes on offer, which Finchy the Trumpeter enjoyed the odd tune to give the locals a full Barmy Army experience.
6. It’s more than just watching cricket
Our travelling Barmy Army members got to experience the best that India has to offer. Alarms were set early to be at the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, for sunrise and an unforgettable experience.
India is one of the best places in the world to watch cricket. The country is cricket-obsessed, the scenery is outstanding, and the food is delicious. It has a completely different culture from home, as swing is swapped for spin and spice is a staple at every meal. What’s not to love?
7. Dharamshala Pre-Test party
350 people descended together in the middle of the Himalayas for an amazing evening. It started with a live band, a hilarious Q and A from England legend ‘Swanny’, a sing-along with Finchy the Trumpeter and most importantly, £7,500 raised for the ACE Programme.
8. The GOAT reaches 700 wickets in Dharamshala
Despite the result, the party touring Dharamshala will never forget the morning of day three. Jimmy Anderson reached a milestone that no fast bowler has ever reached. In the Himalayas, his dad was watching on; it was a fairy-tale way to take his 700th wicket. In the future, it will be one of those ‘where were you moments’ for England cricket fans, and these Barmy Army Travelers can say they were there with him.
Commemorate Jimmy’s special achievement with our Barmy Army ‘700 tee’.
9. A Barmy Army member takes a hat trick
On Day 4 of the final test in Dharamshala, the Barmy Army got to play at the HPCA Stadium on the same wicket, which was somewhat of a silver lining! Three matches occurred, the main event being our Barmy Army Travel group playing a sociable pairs game.
And one of the group had a moment he will be telling his mates about for years…On a Test wicket, mountains in the background and a hat-trick ball…
10. Duckett meets Duckett
When we arrived at Heathrow to meet our 5th Test touring party, it was scarcely believable that one of the group, Tom, was not related to England opener Ben Duckett.
And it was the story that kept giving. Ben kindly donated his shirt to us for our charity auction, and Tom won the lot. Fast-forward four days, and the Barmy Army are playing on the pitch in Dharamshala. Out walks Ben’s lookalike Tom to open the batting with guess who? The Real Ben Duckett’s Dad, Graham, also travelled with us!
Then, the crowning moment in the Duckett lookalike story. Tom decides to go hiking in the Himalayas on his penultimate day on tour. Who does he bump into? You guessed it…
Thanks to all the supporters who joined us in India, woke up early in the mornings or followed whenever they could from the UK. Your support means the world and makes English cricket so very special.
Join the Barmy Army as we embark on our next Indian adventure by registering your interest here!
New India Tour Stadium Prints Available!
Choose from our incredible prints captured during the recent tour to India by one of our very own Barmy Army members. Prints are available in three sizes for each of Rajkot, Vizag & Dharamsala.
We will donate 50% of all profits to CALM – Mental Health Charity that works to unite the UK against suicide. Learn more about why we support The CALM Zone here.
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