It's common in India for someone to fake room service to ask for selfies, says Australia head coach Justin Langer

Cricket unites India like nothing else and if you ask someone, chances are you will get a response on the state of play and players that are doing good or those who are out of form and should be dropped from the squad. Such frenzy notches up when there’s a side on tour for a series and more so if Australians land in the town.

Now, in a documentary series ‘The Test’ recently released on Amazon Prime, Australia coach Justin Langer has revealed what it is like to be touring and playing in India. The 49-year-old former opening batsman has appreciated the love that the crowds in India shower on the players. So much so that it gets too close for comfort and can ‘get a bit claustrophobic.’

“Yeah I love India for the first few weeks and then it gets a bit claustrophobic… to be honest, because Indians love cricket so much that only sanctuary you have is your change room or in your bedroom,” said Langer, a veteran of 105 Test matches, as quoted by India Today.

‘Be ready for the request for selfies’: Justin Langer

Langer took over the coaching reins after Australia faced one of its lowest points as a cricketing nation in March 2018. Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned from playing the game after they were caught conspiring and using sandpaper to tamper the ball in South Africa.

Langer was talking about the five-match ODI series which his team played in India in March 2019. The men from Down Under made a dramatic comeback in the series after they lost the first two games and then won the last three to win the trophy.

On the cricket-crazy levels of Indians, Langer went on to say, “Even in hotel room it is not uncommon for someone to knock at your door and fake room service and ask for selfies. It’s like literally relentless.”

The 8-episode program tracks the run of the Australian team post Cape Town shame until The Ashes 2019, which the side retained after drawing the five-match series 2-2.