CHENNAI, Feb 13: The Barmy Army may not be in full force at Chepauk owing to the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions but they are keen to make their presence felt during the second India-England Test.
A group of six belonging to the Barmy Army from various parts of India are in the city to catch action from the match that got underway here on Saturday.
Barmy Army follows the England cricket team on tours across the world. According to Joe Phelan, who works in New Delhi, “the atmosphere is fantastic.”
“There’s six of us, from Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad and we have made it here to support the England cricket team. It is a nice feeling to be at the ground and cheer for our team,” he told PTI.
Phelan said he was enjoying the atmosphere at the M A Chidambaram Stadium and there was a lot of buzz around it. “The atmosphere is fantastic… I think if there was 50,000 or 60,000 it would be incredible. Everyone is good natured here and love their cricket. There is a lot of noise and buzz and it is great fun,” he added.
Phelan said the Barmy Army enjoys singing, adding “win or lose”, we always sing as the six-member group enjoyed the day under the sun by belting out some songs.
He said it was good that fans had been allowed entry which meant members of the Barmy Army here could come down to watch the England team in action.
On the COVID-19 protocols, he said, “I see most people have got their masks on. I would say they realise the risk they face. It is good to be among the spectators…”
The Barmy Army member also said the authorities had made good arrangements for the fans, with sanitisers being provided, apart from health kiosks.
