Elderly cricket fan Charulatha Patel takes Internet by storm; Michael Vaughan calls it the ‘picture of the World Cup’, VVS Laxman honours her passion

After Rohit Sharma, the one who grabbed the maximum eyeballs on Tuesday was not an Indian or Bangladeshi player, but an elderly lady. 87-year-old Charulatha Patel became a sensation on social media after the cameras spotted her cheering enthusiastically for India during the World Cup encounter at Edgbaston in Birmingham. While the woman won hearts online, even the members of the cricket fraternity couldn’t contain their emotions after the visual of her blowing the stadium trumpet horn went viral. Michael Vaughan and VVS Laxman were among those who expressed their heartwarming feelings to the moment. While the former termed it as the ‘picture of the World Cup’, the latter lauded her spirit and passion.

READ: WATCH: ‘I Want My Indian Team To Win The World Cup’, Says 87-year-old Cricket Enthusiast Charulata Patel As She Creates Online Frenzy During World Cup Match Against Bangladesh

Sharing the picture of the viral moment, Vaughan wrote, “Love this ... No idea how old this lady is but it’s the picture of the World Cup for me ... #CWC19.” 

Laxman too shared the moment and captioned it, “Support #teamindiagets #spirit #passion#energyandenthusiasm#loversofthegame #indvsban#iccworldcup2019.” 

READ: World Cup 2019 | VIRAL: Elderly Cricket Enthusiast Cheering In The Stands During India-Bangladesh Encounter Wins Hearts Online

Earlier in the day, netizens came forward to hail and salute the spirit of this elderly cricket enthusiast.

When asked about what inspired her to take a keen interest in the gentlemen's game,  Patel said that her two sons used to play County Cricket and they used to take her along with them sometimes. 

Patel also said that she is a huge fan of two of India's famous and the most loved cricketers of modern day cricket- Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. She then added that Kohli was her favourite, while MS Dhoni was her second favourite.

While the 87-year-old believes that India will definitely lift the trophy, she predicts an India-Australia final. 

When asked whether the cricket lover will be spotted at Lord's to cheer for the Men In Blue during the summit clash, Patel said that she will not be making it to the stadium and instead will be rooting for Virat Kohli & Co. from her big screen at home. Nonetheless, she has mentioned that she will try her level best to make it to the 'Mecca of Cricket' to watch the final. 

"I will not be coming here. I will be watching it ( the final) from home on my big screen. I will try my level best to come and watch the  final at Lord's."