Paul, our commiserations. You're a credit to the game (fans & the English team). Thank you for coming back. Good luck in Mohali, but i hope India wins :).

To the UK team, from an indian who found the cricket beautiful, after the mumbai attack. Best of luck.
Vitaï Lampada

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night --
Ten to make and the match to win --
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

The sand of the desert is sodden red, --
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; --
The Gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of schoolboy rallies the ranks,
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

This is the word that year by year
While in her place the School is set
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in

The full poem:
Vitaï Lampada

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night --
Ten to make and the match to win --
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

The sand of the desert is sodden red, --
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; --
The Gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of schoolboy rallies the ranks,
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

This is the word that year by year
While in her place the School is set
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind --
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

Thanks for coming to India & your support for us. I hope you will have fond memories of the Chennai crowd.Hope you would rate my city as the best fans in India. i did cheer strauss & paul, & i thank the english team for giving wonderful cricket here. you are most welcome next time. hope you enjoyed the match & again the fans of this city.

It is good to see India win and bring cheers to a mourning nation. First of all, thanks to the England team and supporters for coming back. Coming to cricket, with all the distractions prior to the match and with little practice, I was surprised to see England play such a good game. They were in control of the test until Lunch when India suddenly woke up from their slumber and realized that the tour is actually happening. But kudos to the team for showing fighting spirit especially to that man, Sehwag, who, I think, is the only person on the 4'th day to bet on India winning the match. He set it up and asked others to follow the lead. On the final day, sachin took over with his composure and coolness and slowly killed the life out of England attack. The only thing left - I hope England run into "The Wall" in Mohali.

Paul and the Barmy army.. Thanks for coming!!! Really, we love KP and the English team more than ever.

I watched two days of exhilerating cricket from the chennai super kings stand.Hats off to ENGLAND for competing so well.It was certainly a great advertisement for test match cricket.
But after everything they were defeated by a great players best innings.Everybody on the ground remembered the test against pakistan.But we knew this time HE is going to do it.And the way HE guided Yuvi was exemplary.
Swann really impressed us all with his turn and bounce.He was easily the best spinner from both teams.Flintoff,though we bood him to the hilt whenever his face appeared on the screen,is certainly a lion hearted bowler.All batsmen gave him the respect he deserved and did not take any chance against him.Strauss had the test of his life time,england ahs not lost a test in which he has scored a century and he scores two centurys in a losing cause..what did HE realy tell strauss when they shook hands after strauss century

Thanks Paul for coming and enjoying one of Test Cricket's finest moments... it was providential that the pitch was under-prepared and yet was not a death-trap for batsmen and behaved pretty well into the wee hours of the 5th day, it was providential that after England produced one of it's best displays they get steam-rolled in such a clinical manner, it was providential again that Sehwag produces one of his best batsmanship of his career when it mattered most, it was providential that Yuvraj came good at-last in this version of the game and Sachin was sublime not to forget the other team members performance sans Rahul, but I am sure he will make amends in the next game so watch out, no time for comiseration to the Indian team yet, but thank for you for coming and enjoying one of the finest moments of Test Cricket... three cheers

Paul, everyone is talking about the security required for England players but what about you folks? You and the barmy army are doing a great job as well by connecting at a personal level with India. Thanks for making this trip when others may have said no. You and your group sir will forever be welcomed with open arms in my country. Wishing all the very best for Mohali and I envy you that you got to see a great test match live from the stadia.

-Saurabh

Thanks for coming guys. Barmy army is a credit to test cricket. Hope you were entertained in Chennai.

As one of the television commentators observed during the one day series, the difference between the two sides could be seen from the intent and the backlift of their openers. Sehwag and gambhir looked like they wanted to strike very ball for four, but blocked when they got a good one. Where as ,english openers looked to score only if they got a bad ball. This may work well in england, but thats no excuse for doing the same in India where aggressive batting has been the way for a long time now.

Hello Paul - on behalf of the ppl of Chennai and India, let me say that it was a pleasure to play hosts to you and the Barmy Army. We've heard about it, seen it on Tv, but this is the first time we had you guys at Chennai. I was at a different stand on Saturday, but after seeing you guys in H stand I made it a point to come to H stand and sit along with you folks. It was a wonderful experience as a cricket lover and I learnt a few songs along the way, Monty Panesar hip hip hurray being my favorite. Thank you guys for making the trip as you deserve more praise than the cricketers themselves coz you're not given any security and you showed the world that India is a safe and fun place to go to. Have a good time in India. I'll write you a separate email later.

PS: I'm the short guy in India jersey who came from blr after the engagement, leaving behind his fiancée. And we took a picture today & I got your Barmy army card too.

Hi Paul, glad you had a great time at the venue.But be warned that the Mohali crowd will be different. The Chennai crowd is arguably the most knowledgeable and gracious bunch of spectators in cricket. But what a match. What. A. Match!

Hi Paul, glad you had a great time at the venue.But be warned that the Mohali crowd will be different. The Chennai crowd is arguably the most knowledgeable and gracious bunch of spectators in cricket. But what a match. What. A. Match!

Hey Paul. I am glad you had a wonderful time. The relationship between India and England has been a bit bitter for some time now. This series is definitely going to be the start of some great friendships. I can assure you that the Indian public holds your team and captain in high regard and the respect for your guys has definitely grown by leaps and bounds. Not just because of the quality of cricket, but, even before the start of the series when KP said - " We can not let terrorists dictate terms". You guys definitely have one admirer in me and I am sure there are million others in India. You also have a million new supporters for the Ashes. Hats off to you guys.

England has played very good test Cricket. It would be hard for any team to win when Sachin plays like that. Good luck for Mohali and yes, Ashes. I'll of course be rooting for another Indian win in Mohali but I would hope to see English conquer Aussies in ashes next summer :-)

Superb Game.
Thanks to England for coming and playing such an intense game despite all odds.
Hope to see an equally enthralling game at Mohali.

As a proud Chennai-ite, thanx and Chepauk is a pitch that rarely disappoints.

You won't have many hands to shake in Mohali, let me tell you. Test cricket isn't exactly a big draw in Punjab.

Great job Barmy Army. As an Indian fan, I am thrilled Tendulkar won the game for us. But, the game was only made interesting by a bold England effort lead by Andrew Strauss, and Flintoff.
Special mention for Flintoff, I have watched his spells against Jacques Kallis not so long ago, and Ricky Ponting in Ashes '05, but am soon realizing he is as special and colossal everyday. Australia in 4 tests were not as close as England were in the first test. Thanks England team and your supporters for giving us a great game of cricket.

Superb Game.
Thanks to England for coming and playing such an intense game despite all odds.
Hope to see an equally enthralling game at Mohali.

"We could barely hear ourselves speak, never mind sing" Oh you did.. you all so did make us hear Paul.. and other english supporters..its not the noise you made us hear but the message you English have given to the mad inhumane minority through cricket is well heard & echoed around the globe!!..As bumbles said at the end, the result immaterial but the match with its all glorious 5 days is for "Mumbai"..and thank you all to make it happen..!!

Thanks Paul and thanks to Barmy Army, England, India and Indian spectators who turned up on the ground to witness this historical moment in the history of the sports. England will be remembered not for its loss, but for the grand gesture of turning up and playing at the highest abilities to allow the nation to take the win as a solace. England might have lost the game, but they have won the hearts of Indians.

Regardless of the outcome of this series, KP and his teammates are the ultimate winners. They have won the hearts of a billion people by a simple master strokeplay!

very well said paul. this is one of the most exciting test i saw in the past few years.the india australia test series could pull any crowd in india. i was really pleased to see the packed stands in chennai to watch intense cricket. cricket has come out as winner after mumbai attacks. congratulations to indian and england cricket team. cheers
anil yadav sydney

very well said paul. this is one of the most exciting test i saw in the past few years.the india australia test series could pull any crowd in india. i was really pleased to see the packed stands in chennai to watch intense cricket. cricket has come out as winner after mumbai attacks. congratulations to indian and england cricket team. cheers
anil yadav sydney

Well Paul Chennai is known for producing sporty knowledgeable crowds. The Mohali crowd on the other hand tends to be rather partisan. But the important thing Paul is that there wouldn't have been a game in the first place if your boys hadn't turned up. So credit to the English team and fans for making the trip at a dodgy time. My opinion of both is now way higher than it was, although it wasn't that low to start with. Last thing, would you have any idea of what Flintoff says to Yuvraj when he's trying to wind him up? Would love to know!

That was a great Test match, and its great for the future of Test cricket esp. in India. England would have won or atleast drawn the match 7/10 times. Too bad, it wasn't to be. I though India had no chance, but Shewag changed the whole momentum of the game. Cricket is the winner here and special thanks to the English team to make it happen.

What a limp bowling performance by all except Flintoff and Swann. Swann needed a decent spinner at the other end. The overrated Panesar was allegedly unable to adapt because he hadn't had enough practice! Codswallop! He hasn't the skill to change speed or direction as any proper spinner could and would. Since batsmen got to know him he's been a waste of a place. Remember Tendulkar was his "bunny"? Who's the bunny now? He's utterly predictable when bowling, and he can't field or bat. He's had 34 Tests to improve on all three fronts, but he hasn't. Let's pick the Yorkshire lad and see what he can do. Can't be any worse. The other weak link is of course Harmison, who always fails to deliver when it matters. Sehwag is unfortunately just the wrong man for him to be bowling to at the start. If Harmy gets hit for four, his confidence is immediately shattered, and he wants to hide down at long leg. Another wasted place in the team! He just can't cope with the pressures away from Durham.

Wasn't it a great match? It had to be! I am sure, years after today, this will definitely be remembered, not for the result - but the choice England had made - to come back and play the game we love and affirm the simple pleasures of friendship and camaraderie in the face of terror and agony.

Here is to you. Let's celebrate the victory together - as fans of cricket and life.

Hard luck, England, all the talk about Sachin and Yuvraj misses the point; it was Sehwag who engineered the victory,and the talk about England being ahead for the every session except the last is also incorrect, England lost it the day before when they batted so slowly and Sehwag and Gambhir bulldozed their way back into the game. You lost it on the fourth day, not the fifth. After an eight run an over start by Sehwag, England could not attack anymore and all India had to do was maintain 4 runs an over. Being a Pakistani fan, I am used to Sehwag's brilliance and stunning heroics, it was about time the English realized how devastating this guy can be. He beat Pieterson and England in that one session after tea. Sachin and co only had to coast to the target, the damage was done. If Sehwag was out for 20, England would have won and there would have been nothing Tendulkar could have done about it. You only have to realize how defensive the fields were on the fifth day, due to V. Sehwag.

Hey Paul,
It was a wonderful test. One of the best ones i have witnessed. Thank you English team and Kevin Peitersen who played with a broken rib. Though this has been overlooked, this should also be admired by us.

Firstly i would like to thank all the England fans who showed the courage to travel to india in the aftermath of the tragedy that shook the nation and helped cricket to move in India. If the England team had refused to tour i shudder to think its effects on cricket played in India.
Coming back to the match itself it was a fascinating one. England dominated most of the test match but yet ended up losing due to some outstanding batting by the master & Shewag. Sometimes when people bat like there is simply nothing you can do.
I feel this is one of the best English team post the 2005 ashes triumph but somehow or the other they managed to lose a match in which they should have thrashed the hosts. Not able to defend 387 was quite inexcusable especially with the likes of Monty, Harmison, Flintoff. England really need to buck up if they want to win back the Ashes next year.

hello Paul - you really are simply splendid! Great blog mate, and see you when you get home. Sing a song for me will you!

Matty