India’s Special 87-Year-Old Fan is Winning Hearts Across the World

There are fans. And then there are super-fans. We’ve spotted the next one. After Tendulkar and Dhoni’s special fans who grace the stadium with their presence in practically every match, this one is a really a class apart. An 87-year-old with a spirit of a teen, Charulata Patel could be seen cheering the Men in Blue with her horn and the tricolours on either side of her face. Not only did she catch the attention of thousands on the television, but the Indian players were also taken aback by her passion and made it a point to meet her.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma met Charulata Patel and after talking to them, she gave each of them a kiss. Surely while it was a sweet moment, fans around the world must also be quite jealous of the senior. In an interview, she shared about all the attention she had been getting: “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!”

Comments have been flooding the internet with praise for Charulata Patel. From cricketers to fans, people are really inspired by the level of her dedication. One thing’s for sure, she will not be forgotten easily.