The colourful crowd at the ongoing World Cup has given us some epic moments on the television, thousands of miles away. Be it the jaw-dropping expressions of England fans in the background when Ben Stokes took a sensational catch; or the reaction of a Pakistan fan when a fielder dropped the catch in the deep that became the source of so many memes; or Rihanna being spotted at a West Indies game, cheering her schoolmate Carlos Brathwaite on.
But all those moments will be at best second to what we saw during the match between India and Bangladesh in Birmingham on Tuesday.
During the India innings, when the batsmen were entertaining the crowd with their stroke-making abilities, one fan was spotted blowing the vuvuzela with so much zeal that commentators Harsha Bhogle and Sourav Ganguly instantly declared it the best crowd shot of the World Cup.
And why not. It was 87-year-old Charulata Patel, who became an internet sensation after she was spotted cheering India on, face-paint and all.
Cricket really is for all ages!
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 2, 2019
Meet the #TeamIndia fan whose support is simply sensational 👏👏 #BANvIND | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/4TaXCvSgzr
After she caught the attention of everyone with her infectious enthusiasm, she managed to get acquainted with the Indian stars as well .
How amazing is this?!
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 2, 2019
India's top-order superstars @imVkohli and @ImRo45 each shared a special moment with one of the India fans at Edgbaston.#CWC19 | #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/3EjpQBdXnX
In an interview with the ICC insider Ridhima Pathak, Patel said:
“I am 87 years old. I like cricket because my children used to play in Surrey County. I was born in Tanzania. My parents are from India that’s why I have so much pride for the country. I have been watching cricket since I was 20 years-old. I feel like they [the players] are my kids and that’s why I am supporting them. About all the attention, I am feeling a little shy, must have done some 4-5 interviews now!”
The Superfan then got to meet with centurion Rohit Sharma as well as Indian captain Virat Kohli after the match.
Needless to say, she has become an internet sensation:
😇😇
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 2, 2019
One of #TeamIndia's passionate fans, Charulata Patel ji all smiles as she blesses @imVkohli for the remainder of the tournament. #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/DQyEzt5dDH
Also would like to thank all our fans for all the love & support & especially Charulata Patel ji. She's 87 and probably one of the most passionate & dedicated fans I've ever seen. Age is just a number, passion takes you leaps & bounds. With her blessings, on to the next one. 🙏🏼😇 pic.twitter.com/XHII8zw1F2
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 2, 2019
Virat yaar 😭❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/CeLFrGO6Fb
— Vinay (@semperfiutd) July 2, 2019
Man of the match: Rohit Sharma
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) July 2, 2019
Woman of the match: Charulata
An off-field memory I will never forget. 😌 https://t.co/Yb1hYHhdv5
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 2, 2019
Pic of the day..🙏🙏🙏#Indvsban pic.twitter.com/cwkXiPodXJ
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) July 2, 2019
87 year old Charulata Patel who was seen cheering for India in the stands during #BANvIND match: I have been watching cricket for last many decades, from the time I was in Africa. Earlier I used to watch on TV when I was working, but now that I am retired I watch it live. #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/VL1P3k6czs
— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019
Could go down as one the best player-fan moments of all time. https://t.co/LYdQxCPwbN
— cricBC (@cricBC) July 2, 2019
87 year old Charulata Patel is bringing such special moments to the #INDvBAN #IndiaVsBangladesh match - people are taking selfies with her at the match - all set to be a social media sensation? #charulatapatel #cricket pic.twitter.com/nc17a005tE
— SheThePeople (@SheThePeopleTV) July 2, 2019
Ah... So Ganguly just mentioned - she is 87 year old Charulata Patel.
— Amit Paranjape (@aparanjape) July 2, 2019
If you thought only young people can be passionate supporters #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/58Y8nj8iVI
— Sohini (@Mittermaniac) July 2, 2019
Heroine of #CWC19 #INDvBAN #ICCCricketWorldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/PuQjbZEIu1
— Soutik Biswas (@soutikBBC) July 2, 2019
ye hasi world cup se bhi unchi hai #INDvBAN #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/6uv9DnFpMd
— d J 🎧 (@djaywalebabu) July 2, 2019
Highlight of the day and best fan in the 2019 Cricket World Cup... #CricketGranny #INDvBAN #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/fvMU6np1F8
— Asjad Nazir (@asjadnazir) July 2, 2019
She is the reply for Sachin, Sehwag and Laxman's hamare zamane ki stories. #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/M9AJPwOpav
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) July 2, 2019
Age is no limit 😎 WOW.. @BrianLara calls her pictures as his best pick from this #CWC19.. Superb to see this veteran fan enjoying the #INDvBAN match.. pic.twitter.com/F72HoiqF63
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) July 2, 2019
Stunning visuals at the #IndiaVsBangladesh match today. Captured this picture. It has to be the best picture of the entire tournament. Salute for her spirit nd energy 👏 @StarSportsIndia @ICC pic.twitter.com/ey0fSIi5h0
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 2, 2019
Surely me in my 80s ❤️🤩 #IndvBan pic.twitter.com/kz8ZM36h0D
— Monica (@monicas004) July 2, 2019
She looks so cute ❤️#BANvIND #TeamIndia @bhogleharsha her lungs are definitely at the peak! pic.twitter.com/tvOmynYqF8
— Ananya (@Ananya_G98) July 2, 2019
Ajji in audience, India will win. #CWC19 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/IvpyjoUFRA
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) July 2, 2019
Cricket is a madness in India , from the moment you are born to as long as you live and breathe. pic.twitter.com/wC6UpozNkA
— Vinay (@semperfiutd) July 2, 2019