Inspired By Die-Hard Fan, Barmy Army Musters Half Dozen For India Tests

Inspired by a diehard England fan's 10-month vigil to see his team play in Sri Lanka, a group of expats have travelled across India to become the only Barmy Army members singing in the second Test

After the England team went home from Sri Lanka last year, superfan Lewis worked remotely in the South Asian island nation as a web designer and took on stints as a nightclub DJ to get by.

His arduous bid to watch England made the group realise that as some of the few foreign nationals in India, they were in a privileged position to watch the match live.

"Then suddenly tickets became available and, really inspired by Rob and what he meant for English fans and for all cricket fans, we thought we are in India and can go," said Delhi-based Phelan.

All six wore T-shirts featuring Lewis's face underneath their matching blazers from the Delhi expat cricket club, the Viceroys, that most of them belong to.

Foreign tourists are still barred from India, leaving Phelan and the five others as the only voices backing Joe Root and his men.