Capturing Cricket: 9 Cities. 17 Days. 1.4 Billion Fans.

  • Project: Capturing Cricket: Steve Waugh in India
  • Format: Feature Documentary (60 min)
  • Client: ABC Australia / Steve Waugh
  • Credit: Fixer & Field Producer (India)
  • Locations: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Vadodara, Dharamshala, Jodhpur, Agra, Mathura.

Filming in Dharamshala: Steve Waugh playing cricket with monksThe Challenge: Moving a "God" Through the Crowd

When former Australian Captain Steve Waugh decided to return to India to capture the "spirit of cricket" for a photobook and documentary, the brief was ambitious: Cover 9 major Indian cities in just 17 days, capturing candid, street-level interactions in some of the most chaotic environments on earth.

There were two major logistical hurdles.

First, the schedule. 18 flights in under three weeks. A missed connection or a "standard Indian delay" would have derailed the entire production.

Second, the talent. In Australia, Steve Waugh is a sports star. In India, he is a deity. We weren't just filming a documentary; we were moving a target that attracts instant, massive crowds the moment he steps out of a car. The challenge was to allow Steve to interact "candidly" with locals while maintaining a secure perimeter and keeping the schedule moving.

The Solution: Military Precision & Exclusive Access

We treated this not as a standard documentary shoot, but as a tactical operation.

  • Precision Logistics: We implemented a "wheels-up, wheels-down" schedule that accounted for every variable—from Mumbai’s peak-hour traffic to fog delays in North India. Our logistics team pre-cleared routes and utilized VIP protocols at airports to ensure the crew and equipment moved seamlessly between states.
  • The "Invisible" Security Shield: To get the authentic shots Steve wanted—playing cricket in the dust of the Oval Maidan or the backstreets of Kolkata—we couldn't have heavy-handed security in the frame. We deployed a discreet security layer that managed the inevitable crowds at the periphery, giving Steve the breathing room to capture his images without the scene turning into a fan frenzy.
  • Royal Access: The script called for contrast. We leveraged our network to secure exclusive filming permissions at the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara—still the residence of the Royal Family. We negotiated direct access to the Maharajah for a surreal game of cricket in the palace ballroom, a sequence that required delicate protocol management.
  • High-Altitude Operations: For the sequence in Dharamshala, we managed the logistics of moving the unit into the Himalayan foothills to film Steve playing cricket at the World's highest stadium. We also arranged for Steve to play with a team of Tibetan Buddhist Monks which required special permission and coordination with monastery authorities.

The Outcome

The documentary premiered on ABC (Australia) and Discovery+ (India) to rave reviews. We successfully executed 100% of the schedule without a single lost day or security breach. We proved that even on a "suicide schedule" covering the length and breadth of the subcontinent, India can run like clockwork if you have the right people driving the machine.

What The Client Said

"A huge effort by the team to get this done. Very proud of the outcome."

— Steve Waugh, Former Australian Cricket Captain

"Amazing... what a trip, what an experience. Well done to Tony and the team."

— Trent Parke, Magnum Photographer

 

Official ABC Trailer...

5 min Clip With Sachin Tendulkar...

 

Services Provided

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