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How an Australian fell in love with MS Dhoni and became fan of India

Management student Leanne Murray is also friends with others in team and quit job to watch the series Down Under this summer

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Leanne Murray with MS Dhoni, wife Sakshi and Virat Kohli
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You don't often see an Australian draped in an Indian flag. If you do, it must be Leanne Murray. A proud member of the 'Swami Army', the 23-year-old has been following MS Dhoni & Co. through Australia and New Zealand since 2007. Today, she is the undisputed No.1 fan of the Indian team in this part of the world. A few thousand selfies, some autographed jerseys and seamless access to the Men in Blue, she is the envy of many a supporter.

"I first saw Dhoni at a training session in Adelaide eight years ago. I had no idea who he was or how big an icon he was. I requested him for a photograph and I have not stopped ever since. I just fell in love with him that day," she says. A 700-km drive from Adelaide, her hometown, to Melbourne for Sunday's match is just another journey in Murray's life. She has even traversed the Tasman Sea to watch the Indian team. "I went to New Zealand last year," adds the management graduate.

Murray hasn't gone to work since November. "A year ago, I told my boss that I want to attend each of the four Test matches as well as the World Cup. So I am actually on paid leave," she gushes.

Murray doesn't bother about the fact that Australia also have a cricket team. "I don't really care about Australia," she says as Dhoni & Co. go through the rigours of a four-hour-long training session at the Junction Oval. "I am not wearing my India shirt today. Otherwise, you'll always see me in it. I don't have an Australian shirt. And even if India were to play Australia, I'd be supporting India," she says without batting an eyelid.

So what makes her love the Indian team so much? "It's all because of Dhoni. He is just a calm guy and such a great leader. He is an inspiration. He just made me fall in love with the Indian team," she says. Today, Murray counts the likes of Dhoni, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Dinesh Karthik, R Vinay Kumar among her 'friends'.

And guess what, she also plays the game. Actually, meeting the Indian players inspired me to take up the game. I didn't know anything about cricket till 2007. About two years ago, I even enrolled myself in a cricket coaching clinic. I am a right-arm fast bowler and a left-handed batsman," she informs. Within seconds, she rushes to her car, opens the boot and takes out a bat and a tennis ball. "Let's play," she says. Mind you, Murray is good at her game. A couple of journalists get a taste of her big hitting and neat bowling.

Murray has also strutted her stuff at the GM Cricket Academy in Delhi's Najafgarh area. "I have played with the boys there. They really respect me," she says. She knows Najafgarh is where Virender Sehwag hails from. "I have got a picture with him too. Do you want to see?" she enquires.

A casual look at her iPad confirms it's a storehouse of collages. From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli to R Ashwin to Ravindra Jadeja, she has 'framed' them all. For the record, she has visited India on five occasions, including for the IPL.

Apart from Dhoni, Mohammed Shami is someone Murray admires a lot. "He is a nice bowler. In fact, he keeps giving me tips on bowling. The first thing he told me was to buy a cricket-specific pair of shoes," she laughs. "We often talk on Skype," she adds.

Murray has also met with Anushka Sharma and Sakshi Dhoni in New Zealand last year. "Sakshi was surprised I wanted a picture with her. But she was nice enough to pose for me," Murray says. So did she tell her she "loves" Dhoni. "No, I didn't. I am sure she knows of many women who do."

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