How Indian Cricketers Celebrate Diwali in Australia: A Festival Away From Home

The Spirit of Diwali Down Under

As the Festival of Lights illuminates homes across India, Indian cricketers touring Australia find themselves celebrating this cherished occasion thousands of miles away from their families. Diwali, one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar, holds special meaning for the Indian cricket team, regardless of where their duties take them.

Balancing Duty and Tradition

The demanding international cricket schedule often means that Indian players must celebrate Diwali while on tour. During the 2024 cricket season, senior players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah remained focused on their preparations for crucial Test matches, with the team management deciding against optional training sessions to ensure complete readiness for upcoming fixtures.

The Indian cricket team’s commitment to the sport doesn’t diminish their connection to their cultural roots. In fact, it makes their celebrations even more meaningful, as they find ways to honor tradition while representing their nation on foreign soil.

How Cricketers Celebrate Diwali on Tour

Team Gatherings and Family Time

When schedule permits, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organizes special Diwali celebrations at team hotels. These gatherings typically feature:

• Traditional Indian attire: Players dress in kurta-pyjamas, bringing the authentic feel of the festival
• Family presence: Spouses, children, and close family members join the celebrations when possible
• Team bonding: The support staff and players come together, creating a home-away-from-home atmosphere
• Traditional cuisine: Special arrangements for Diwali sweets, savories, and festive meals

Social Media Connections

Indian cricketers have embraced social media to extend their Diwali wishes to millions of fans worldwide. Stars like Rishabh Pant, Virender Sehwag, and Irfan Pathan regularly share heartfelt messages emphasizing the festival’s core values of light overcoming darkness and good triumphing over evil.

Rishabh Pant’s message during Diwali 2024 captured the sentiment perfectly: “May Diwali be filled with light, happiness, and joy for everyone. This festival will bring peace, prosperity, and happiness in your life.”

Diwali in the Australian Indian Community

Growing Celebrations Across Major Cities

Australia’s vibrant Indian community, which represents the second-largest migrant population in the country after the British, celebrates Diwali with tremendous enthusiasm across major cities:

Melbourne Celebrations

• Federation Square hosts spectacular Diwali festivals featuring fireworks, cultural performances, and traditional Indian cuisine
• Melbourne Town Hall illuminated with stunning light projections
• Traditional dance performances, rangoli displays, and henna painting stalls

Sydney Events

• Diwali celebrations at prominent venues with Bollywood music and dance
• Community gatherings featuring food stalls with authentic Indian delicacies
• Cultural showcases celebrating the diversity of Indian traditions

Perth Festivities

• Diwali Mela at Burswood Park with live music and traditional performances
• The West Test Summer Fest during India-Australia cricket matches, celebrating Indian culture
• Community events bringing together people from all walks of life

Brisbane and Adelaide

• Large-scale celebrations at King George Square and Wayville
• All-day events with family-friendly activities and fireworks displays
• Traditional performances showcasing various regional Indian cultures

The Growing Recognition

With over 753,520 Indian-born people living in Australia as of July 2022, and Hinduism representing 2.7% of Australia’s population according to the 2021 Census, there have been increasing calls for Diwali to be recognized as an official public holiday. The Hindu Council of Australia has advocated for this recognition, emphasizing how it would provide an opportunity for all Australians to understand and appreciate Indian culture.

Memorable Diwali Celebrations in Cricket History

2023 World Cup Celebrations

During the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India, the Indian team celebrated Diwali in Bengaluru ahead of their match against the Netherlands. The squad, along with support staff, enjoyed a wonderful celebration with close family and friends at the team hotel. Players like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan shared pictures from the Diwali party on social media, showing the team in traditional wear enjoying food and having a relaxed time before the tournament’s crucial phase.

Individual Celebrations

When not on tour, Indian cricketers celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm:

• KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty: Celebrated with family, emphasizing warmth, light, and endless blessings
• Hardik and Krunal Pandya: Shared warm family photos in vibrant traditional attire, surrounded by the glow of diyas
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav: India’s pace trio came together with families for intimate celebrations
• Shubman Gill: Embraced the festival’s warmth at home, lighting diyas and exchanging sweets with loved ones

The Significance of Diwali for Indian Athletes

More Than Just a Festival

For Indian cricketers, Diwali represents:

1. Connection to Roots: A way to stay connected to their cultural heritage while traveling the world
2. Team Unity: An opportunity for the entire squad to bond beyond cricket
3. Family Values: A reminder of the importance of family and tradition
4. Mental Refreshment: A brief respite from the intense pressure of international cricket
5. Cultural Ambassador Role: Sharing Indian culture with international teammates and fans

Traditional Rituals on Tour

Even when celebrating abroad, Indian cricketers try to maintain traditional Diwali customs:

• Lighting diyas (oil lamps) when possible
• Offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi
• Exchanging gifts and sweets
• Wearing new or traditional clothes
• Connecting with family through video calls

The Cricket-Diwali Connection in Australia

Scheduling Considerations

Cricket Australia has historically been mindful of Diwali when scheduling matches involving India. The consideration reflects the festival’s importance not just to the players but also to the large Indian community in Australia who support cricket matches.

The Perth Test match during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was scheduled in late November, after the Diwali period, allowing for proper celebrations while maintaining the sanctity of the cricket calendar.

Fan Celebrations at Matches

When India plays in Australia around Diwali time, the celebrations extend to the stadiums:

• Indian fans bring festive spirit to the grounds
• Special cultural events organized outside stadiums
• Traditional food stalls offering Diwali delicacies
• Community gatherings before and after matches

Looking Ahead: Diwali and the Future of Indian Cricket

As the Indian cricket team continues to tour globally, maintaining cultural connections becomes increasingly important. The BCCI’s efforts to organize celebrations, allow family presence when possible, and respect players’ need for cultural observance sets a positive example for sports organizations worldwide.

The growing Indian diaspora in Australia means that Diwali celebrations will only become more significant, potentially influencing how cricket tours are scheduled and how cultural festivities are integrated into international sporting events.

Conclusion

Whether celebrating in team hotels in Perth, Melbourne, or Sydney, or lighting diyas at home between matches, Indian cricketers demonstrate that the spirit of Diwali transcends geographical boundaries. The Festival of Lights remains a powerful reminder of their roots, values, and the rich cultural heritage they carry with them as ambassadors of Indian cricket.

As Virender Sehwag aptly put it, “May this Diwali be full of brightness for you. Hope this festival brings joy and happiness in your life.” These words resonate not just with fans back home but with the millions of Indians in Australia and around the world who celebrate this magnificent festival, regardless of where they find themselves on Diwali night.

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