Kartikeya Bhatotia, 27, and Ashish Khullar, 37, are both Indian nationals living in Boston. They made the trip from Massachusetts to Long Island to watch their home country play against Pakistan. As they made their way through the parking lot at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, they purchased jerseys from a vendor selling them out of the trunk of an SUV. Kartikeya bought a large Pakistan jersey for $20, while Aashish opted for an Indian jersey. Both were excited and pleased to see their country and sport represented in Long Island.
Aashish expressed his excitement, mentioning that he had never seen an international cricket game in a stadium before. The two friends spoke enthusiastically about the longstanding rivalry between India and Pakistan. Aashish mentioned that even people who don’t typically watch the sport tune in to watch the game due to the cultural significance of the rivalry.
Kartikeya was cautious about predicting the outcome of the match, citing the unpredictable pitch conditions at Nassau County Stadium. The pitch had drawn criticism for its dangerous and unpredictable bounce, causing concern among officials, fans, and players alike. India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, had faced an injury scare due to the controversial pitch. Kartikeya noted that the stadium’s pitch was not ideal for batting, making it difficult to predict the outcome.
Despite the challenges of the pitch, Kartikeya remarked on the rarity of witnessing such a significant international cricket game in New York. He found it unusual to see cricket being played in America, and even more so in Long Island. Both friends were thrilled to be a part of the exciting game between India and Pakistan in a unique setting.