Story by AKSH GUPTA

 

 

Indian roots vs Indian flag. The Indian Open’s most intriguing crowd debate.

 

It is a scenario that rarely exists in golf.
Not India vs the world.
Not international star vs local favorite.

 

But something far more interesting.

Indian roots vs Indian flag.

 

If Akshay Bhatia finds himself in contention at the Indian Open alongside Shubhankar Sharma, the biggest question may not be about scorecards. It may be about the crowd.

Who does India support?

 

The Indian-born global star.
Or the Indian-origin PGA Tour winner.

 

This is not hypothetical noise. This is a genuine crowd psychology moment that could define the atmosphere at the Indian Open.

 

The Shubhankar Sharma Case: India’s Flagbearer

 

Shubhankar Sharma represents the traditional Indian golf narrative.

• Born in Chandigarh
• Developed through Indian amateur circuit
• Asian Tour breakthrough
• European Tour winner
• Multiple Indian Open appearances
• India’s Ryder Cup level representative on global stage
   

For Indian golf fans, Shubhankar is familiar. He is relatable. He is homegrown.

When Sharma contends, the support is instinctive.
Not calculated. Not debated.

 

It is national.

 

Indian crowds historically rally behind Indian players. That has been the pattern at every major event hosted in the country. From Jeev Milkha Singh to Anirban Lahiri to Shubhankar Sharma, the reaction is consistent.

The flag matters.

 

 

India’s homegrown contender. Familiar. Relatable. Backed by the flag.

 

The Akshay Bhatia Case: Indian Roots, Global Rise

 

Akshay Bhatia represents a different narrative.

 

• Indian parents with roots in New Delhi
• Raised in the United States
• Turned professional at 17
• Three-time PGA Tour winner
• Aggressive, modern playing style
• Strong young fan following globally
   

He is not Indian by flag.
But he is Indian by heritage.

 

 

Indian roots. Global success. A different kind of connection for Indian fans.

 

For many Indian golf fans, Bhatia is not just another international player. He feels closer. Familiar. Connected.

 

He carries an Indian surname.
He speaks about Indian roots.
He acknowledges cultural ties.

 

This creates something unusual.

 

Not opposition.
But overlap.

 

The Crowd Dilemma No One Talks About

 

If Bhatia leads the tournament alone, the crowd will likely support great golf.

If Sharma leads alone, the crowd will support India.

 

But if both are battling on Sunday, the equation changes.

Now it becomes:

 

Support the Indian flag
or
Support Indian roots

 

This is what makes the storyline compelling.

This is not about choosing sides.
It is about identity.

 

Recent Form Adds Fuel to the Debate

 

Akshay Bhatia enters the Indian Open with strong global credentials.

• Multiple PGA Tour wins
• Proven playoff performer
• Comfortable under pressure
• Aggressive scoring ability
   

Shubhankar Sharma enters with something equally powerful.

 

• Experience in Indian conditions
• Knowledge of tight layouts
• Crowd familiarity
• Patience-based game suited to Indian Open setups
   

One brings momentum.
The other brings comfort.
 

One brings global firepower.
The other brings local resilience.

 

We Asked Akshay Bhatia The Question

 

 

We put the Indian crowd dilemma directly to Akshay Bhatia.

 

4moles.com journalist Aksh Gupta put the exact scenario to Akshay Bhatia ahead of the Indian Open.

 

The question:

 

“If you’re battling Shubhankar Sharma, who is leading the Indian challenge, on Sunday at the Indian Open, do you think Indian fans will back the Indian flag, or your Indian roots?”

 

Bhatia smiled before answering.

 

“That’s a good one to be honest. I feel like we both have a pretty good following. He’s had a great career. I know him for a couple of years as well. I think regardless of who will be leading, everyone will be rooting for all of us.”

 

Watch the full reaction here:
 

His answer was diplomatic.
But the question remains open.

 

History Suggests One Thing

 

Indian crowds traditionally support Indian players.
That trend is unlikely to change completely.

 

But this scenario is different.

 

Bhatia is not a random international contender.
He represents Indian-origin success.

 

That could create:

• Split cheers
• Mixed galleries
• Neutral applause
• Shared support

A rare atmosphere in Indian golf.

 

What Makes This Story Unique

 

This is not about rivalry.
This is about identity.

• Indian-born vs Indian-origin
• Local hero vs global Indian
• Flag vs heritage
• Familiar vs aspirational

The Indian Open may quietly deliver one of the most fascinating crowd dynamics in golf.

Not loud.
But meaningful.

 

The Real Question

 

If it comes down to Akshay Bhatia vs Shubhankar Sharma on Sunday,
who does India actually support?

 

The answer may not be one name.

It may be both.