It’s easy to tell the buzz created around the Nassau County area by the ICC T20 World Cup this year. Right from the parking areas and the train station closest to the ground, many colorful jerseys of the teams light up the area. Invariably, the blue India jersey, adorned by the number 18 on the back, is the most popular, with the Indian fanbase constantly making noise and creating a vibrant atmosphere.

By Dhananjay Gurumurthy

It’s easy to tell the buzz created around the Nassau County area by the ICC T20 World Cup this year. Right from the parking areas and the train station closest to the ground, many colorful jerseys of the teams light up the area. Invariably, the blue India jersey, adorned by the number 18 on the back, is the most popular, with the Indian fanbase constantly making noise and creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the sheer size of New York means that it takes 10-15 minutes to walk to the ground. However, one of the most refreshing aspects of the commute to the ground is the plethora of volunteers who guide spectators to the ground and direct the intense traffic surrounding the area. Many of these people have likely heard of cricket for the first time at the start of this World Cup, and certainly have never had an opportunity to get involved in cricket before this World Cup, yet each person shares the same enthusiasm for the environment being created that the hardcore cricket fanatic has. Every fan laughing along with their group is met with a guide who encourages them to enjoy the game and points them towards the ground.

Once at the outskirts of the ground, the bustling environment picks up pace, as everyone is trying to make it into the ground before the game begins. While the safety precautions to get into the ground are extremely rigorous, as they must be, once in the ground, taking in the outside of the ground is a moment in and of itself. While lines clamor to buy jerseys of each team’s best players and to buy food to take into the stands, the massive doors to bring people into the stands indicate a grand view, and the stadium does not disappoint.

Given that the Nassau County stadium was built in just over 5 months, the grandeur of the arena is immense. For big games, such as any game with India, the stands fill up well before the toss, with national anthems, drums, and singing filling the entire arena. These reverberations only get louder as the game starts, and every batter is greeted with a mighty roar, with fan favorites such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma reserving the loudest cheers. Such batters have had a tough time on the surface at Nassau County, but it has created enthralling games of cricket, where the result has been in balance till the very end. As such, every four and six are welcomed with huge ovations. One of the most enjoyable parts of the crowd has been the appreciation of good cricket for both teams, with crowds being equally appreciative of players on both sides, creating a vibrant and pleasant atmosphere that any cricket lover would be delighted with.

Whether you are an avid cricket fan who has been to numerous matches across the globe, or a first-time viewer of the highest level of cricket in person, the Nassau County experience has been incredibly entertaining. Even if it was dismantled over the weekend, the stadium served its purpose and has generated a significant buzz around cricket in America.  

With the USA progressing into the Super 8’s and continuing to enhance its reputation in the cricketing world, the game has a bright future in the land of dreams.