THEY had hoped it would be reversal of fortunes for India’s cricketers, but the team of soldiers and officers from the Indian Army’s 3rd Bihar Regiment found themselves beaten by just four runs in a friendly match against a British Army team during a break from exercises on Salisbury Plain.

In blazing sunshine, with the magnificent backdrop of the Royal Artillery Mess in Larkhill behind them, the Indian tensions and hopes were reminiscent of the recent Test Matches.

Their team looked confident and in control as they started the bowling at the beginning of the 20-20 match. Each wicket taken was greeted with a huge roar of approval from the watching Indian soldiers but the team from 19 Light Brigade proved to be surprisingly adept at clocking up the runs and managed a respectable 142 for 8. This proved to be tantalisingly out of reach for the Indian team who ended their 20 overs with 138 runs for the same number of wickets.

But it was a welcome break for the 120 soldiers who had travelled from India to take part in four weeks of field exercises with British soldiers on Salisbury Plain Training area during August.

The captain of the team was their commanding officer, Colonel Gahan Deep Singh who said, “This cricket game is fantastic – rubbing shoulders on the sports field is always a unique experience, and while we have seen each other in the field we have really enjoyed the opportunity to play a cricket match.”

The soldiers from 3rd Bihar Regiment are due to leave the UK shortly having completed Exercise Ajeya Warrior, a bilateral exercise to exchange ideas and tactics in the current operating environment.