Oodles of aggression, a deep batting unit, and a versatile set of bowlers – those are not the only things powering Australia at the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. A pair of fans who travelled here from Perth to shadow the team across the country – and beyond the borders to Colombo – to support the defending champion have caught the eyes of cameras, fellow fans, and even the Australian team.
Jake Jeakings is no stranger to Indian cricket fans, having become a regular IPL in-stadia attendee and a loved social media personality over the past few years. Alongside him on a hot and humid day here at the ACA-VDCA Stadium was his father, Andrew, who works as a bank manager.
For Jake, India has become a second home.
| Photo Credit:
Instagram/Jake Jeakings
For Jake, India has become a second home.
| Photo Credit:
Instagram/Jake Jeakings
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Despite being in ‘enemy territory’, they are not shy to put up flags and banners to let the world know where their allegiance lies.
“I’ve always loved watching cricket in India. Not to sit with a tour group, but to sit amongst the Indian fans and experience the passion. Personally, I think the Indian cricket fans are the most passionate in the world for cricket,” Andrew told Sportstar.
“I was in India for the 2023 Men’s World Cup. The first game I watched was Australia vs India in Chennai, which we lost. But I had a magnificent day sitting with the Bharat Army. It was a truly wonderful day. I tell everybody that it’s one of the best days I’ve ever had in cricket in my life,” he added.
For Jake, India has become a second home.
“This is my ninth time in India. I love coming here to watch cricket. I’m accustomed to the heat, food and everything – though I don’t like the music, I don’t think it’s loud enough,” he said, as popular Tollywood beats echoed around the venue and paused the conversation for a few seconds.
“When Travis Head and Pat Cummins joined Sunrisers Hyderabad, that’s when I really started to follow them closely. But now it’s beyond that. Every time I step foot into that stadium, people always ask, ‘How are you, Jake?’, ‘Ah, Sam Curran doppelganger.’ It feels like I’m welcome there. Hyderabad is like my family, as is the Orange Army.”
Jake’s likeness to the England all-rounder is the topic of much amusement in the Jeakings household.
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“In a pub in Chennai, they announced over the speaker that Sam Curran’s in the house. All the fans gathered around him, and this couple asked me if I was his coach. They didn’t believe us when we told them he isn’t Sam. I am sure I brought the right kid home!” Andrew quipped.
They also underlined that India vs Australia is the spiciest rivalry in international cricket. “Don’t worry about the Ashes. It’s second to this rivalry. Adam Gilchrist was doing ‘Bazball’ 20 years ago. We win series in England all the time. But we don’t win here all the time,” he added.
The women’s side’s victory against India in their World Cup group fixture only adds to the lore, they pair emphasised.
“That game ranks in my top three games ever. To have been here and witnessed that live was just an amazing experience. It was one of those games where you say that cricket was a winner. What it did was it showed that women’s sport and women’s cricket can be an exciting sport, high-scoring, great fielding. Their skills are brilliant and that game showcased women’s cricket and how good it is,” Andrew opined.
Published on Oct 17, 2025
