(Source Instagram)
Meet Shanti Priya Goyal, a DevOps Specialist soaking in Barbados’ cloud environment, adorned with a striking beard that turns heads. His passion for cricket goes beyond mere fandom. As a Coforge employee, Shanti Priya has garnered significant attention at the T20 World Cup, traveling across the United States and the West Indies to fervently support Team India.
“My journey from India to the US and West Indies for the T20 World Cup 2024 is driven by a deep passion for cricket and a strong sense of national pride,” he says. “The main intent to follow Team India in this T20 World Cup is to showcase my unwavering support for the Men in Blue. I feel my presence in the stadiums
His presence uplifts player morale and fosters unity among supporters. Traveling to the West Indies provided me with a chance to immerse myself in a new culture, connect with diverse individuals, and savor local hospitality. It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate cricket on a global stage.
Goyal explains that he made the decision to join this journey because he understood that attending live matches, particularly at a World Cup, would create lasting memories. “The excitement of being in the crowd, witnessing pivotal moments, and celebrating victories is incomparable,” he reflects. “Cheering for our Indian national team on the global stage of the T20 World Cup fills me with pride.
I believe every ounce of effort and every dollar spent has been worthwhile.“I always wanted to support our cricket team in a unique way and then I thought of the tri-coloured beard concept in the 2023 ICC World Cup. I love my beard and I felt that’s a fantastic way to show my support for the Indian national cricket team during the ICC World Cups. The tricolour stripes on my beard are a bold and patriotic choice, echoing the vibrant orange, white, and green hues of India’s flag.”
Ahead of the final showdown between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Goyal secured a chartered flight to ensure he wouldn’t miss the culmination of the tournament.
“Being away from home for such a long time while my loving kids and my beloved wife are back home and missing their birthdays and big occasions while cheering for team India is a big challenge. However, the most challenging part of this entire journey was logistics and travel. The distance between venues in the US and the Caribbean islands was significant. The venues are spread across multiple islands in the Caribbean and cities in the US. Coordinating flights, accommodations, and local transportation was challenging and time-consuming,” he says.
Goyal expressed frustration with the tropical climate, intense heat, sudden rain showers, and the logistical challenges during the T20 World Cup. He noted that the tournament began in the US and then moved to the West Indies, resulting in extensive travel that proved to be quite expensive.” he says. “While some stadiums had decent infrastructure, with larger seating capacity, it was difficult to procure tickets because of low availability. Despite such challenges and a tiring schedule, I cannot complain much because it was an amazing journey for me and I enjoyed every bit of it through proper planning and execution.”
Goyal emphasized his proactive approach to planning for the T20 World Cup, having booked flights, accommodations, and match tickets well ahead of time to avoid any last-minute issues. “I engaged with the local community and kept myself informed,” he explained. “I packed strategically, bringing snacks, water, and other necessities for the stadiums. Staying connected through social media and fan forums enabled me to connect with fellow Indian supporters, make new friends, exchange tips, and stay updated on any updates or crucial details.”he says. “I am excited and ready for this mega final and I wish Team India win this by defeating South Africa. That would indeed be a dream come true for many fans and me. Winning the T20 World Cup would be a fantastic achievement for Team India. The excitement, the celebrations, and the sense of pride would be unforgettable. Let us hope our Indian cricket team performs at its best and brings the trophy home.”
