In a heartwarming moment at the third Test match between India and England in Rajkot, the spotlight wasn’t just on Sarfaraz Khan who made making his much-awaited Test debut for India, but also on an unexpected musical piece from the Barmy Army.
The Barmy Army, known for their passionate support for the English cricket team, added a unique twist to the proceedings. Along the buzz and anticipation, a member of the Barmy Army, present with a trumpet in the stands, played the iconic title track from the Bollywood movie “Kal Ho Naa Ho” when Sarfaraz was on the crease. The melody echoed across the stadium, capturing the attention of other spectators.
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here’s Barmy Army trumpeter playing kal ho naa ho
here’s Barmy Army trumpeter playing kal ho naa ho pic.twitter.com/KEaCdgsb7i
— Spider Pant (@noicegarry) February 15, 2024
— Spider Pant (@noicegarry) February 15, 2024
Barmy Army asked for BCCI’s permission to play musical piece
This unexpected musical tribute was not without prior arrangement as the Barmy Army had reportedly taken permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its secretary Jay Shah. Their request was conveyed via social media platforms, with tweets directed at the respective authorities, seeking confirmation for their musical piece during the match.
Hi @BCCI can we please have confirmation that our trumpeter will be allowed in the ground with his instrument tomorrow?
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 14, 2024
@JayShah can you let us have the trumpeter in the ground in Rajkot please? 🙏
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 14, 2024
Despite the initial surprise, Sarfaraz Khan remained focused on his debut innings. Displaying nerves of steel, he showcased his talent with a commendable knock of 62 runs. However, in a moment of miscommunication, while batting alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz fell victim to a run-out, ending his innings prematurely when he was eyeing a substantial score. The 26-year-old cricketer will look to capitalize on the second innings of the Test match.