India celebrated its 80th Independence Day on August 15.
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson reflected on his strong connection with India, describing the country as a “second home” while speaking at the Indian Independence Day celebrations organised by the Consulate of India in Sydney. In a video shared on X by The Australia Today, Shane Watson said he feels privileged to celebrate India’s 80th Independence Day, highlighting the deep connection he shares with the country and Indian cricket fans, whose support has had a significant impact on his life and career.
He credited the IPL’s arrival in 2008 for strengthening his connection with India. Because of… fortunately the IPL came along in 2008, and, that was a time where I was able to, have some really good performances at an important time in my career,” he said, and whether it was. Because it’s predominantly a vegetarian country, it means you get to eat beautiful vegetarian food that actually tastes really nice whereas here in Australia vegetarian food most of the time it’s very bland, very plain, but the beauty of going to India is. Because how good it tastes and knowing when I come back to Australia, that is absolutely not the case,” Watson said, whereas in India, most of the time when I’m there I’ll be eating vegetarian food.
Shane Watson described India as a “second home”, saying he has felt more welcomed and supported by Indian cricket fans than in Australia. Watson said he particularly enjoys India’s vegetarian cuisine, praising its variety and flavour and joking that it is far more appealing than the typically “bland” vegetarian food he finds in Australia. “It really does feel like a second home. It’s an interesting thing. I was fortunate enough to have played cricket for Australia for quite a long time, but I always felt a lot more welcome in India. “The thing that I love about going to India the most, like obviously growing up here in Australia, it’s all about the barbecue and I certainly love my barbecue, that’s, that’s what you grow up with.
