Returning World Cup cricket champions India are making their presence known on the field, but it's the noise coming from the stands that is also attracting attention.
They're loud, they're colourful and at the moment the Swami Army are everywhere.
Almost 10 years ago the Swami Army formed in Melbourne with a group of eight die-hard India cricket fans taking the initiative to establish an organised group.
Today, co-founder Kartik Ayyalasomayajula says the group has nearly 5,000 members across the globe.
"We thought let's make this something big, there's so many Indian cricket fans out there, let's make it a formal base and now we're growing by the day, by the minute," he said.
The Swami Army out in force in Melbourne (SBS)
"We follow team India wherever they play around Australia and around the world."
Devotion to the game outweighs devotion to their spouses for some fans.
Mohammad Bashir travelled from Chicago for the Cricket World Cup in Australia, leaving behind his wife and family.
He says once the coin is tossed, his phone goes off.
"I don't pick up phone, if she call I don't pick up."
But it's more than just a love of the game that brings the Swami Army members together. Kartik Ayyalasomayajula says the Swami Army is a family organisation that gives Indian expats a chance to appreciate each other as well as cricket.
"We just follow team India wherever they play around Australia and around the world. Creating a carnival atmosphere. We get the families involved in it, a mix of Bollywood and cricket I guess."
In Melbourne today, the Bangladesh fans put up a challenge to the Swami Army attempting to out-cheer the squad ahead of the match.
"We might be the underdog but we're the Crouching Tigers, we're here to fight, we're here to take the Indians down."
Nafiz Uddowla says he and fellow Tigers supporters are determined to make themselves known during Bangladesh's maiden World Cup quarterfinal.
"We might be the underdog but we're the Crouching Tigers, we're here to fight, we're here to take the Indians down," he said.
However, the Swami Army are so confident of the win member Gary Vohra says flights have already been booked to fly to New South Wales where they will most likely face co-hosts Australia.
Tigers' fans in Melbourne (SBS)
"We've already made plans for Sydney which is the next match, so we'll send the bangers home tonight then we're off to Sydney."
Share
