'Highlight of my life': Wagga's operatic son shines in SCG anthem delivery

Wagga's king of opera has ticked off an "absolute bucket list" item at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Shanul Sharma opened the final deciding match of the Border-Gavaskar Test series on Friday, singing the Indian national anthem before a sold-out SCG.

Mr Sharma spent 10 years living in Wagga after migrating to Australia from India.

He honed his singing talents here, first fronting his rock band before moving into opera.

Former-Wagga tenor Shanul Sharma readies himself to walk onto the Sydney Cricket Ground to sing the Indian national anthem on Janurary 3. Picture supplied

Receiving the call nearly six months ago asking him to sing was a dream come true.

"It was surreal, I was pinching myself," Mr Sharma said.

"It's been something that I've wanted to do ever since I came to Australia, to sing at the cricket at one of these iconic cricket grounds, which are known for being so important for the game around the world.

"It was amazing to see a full SCG singing along and feeling the spirit. It's one of the highlights of my life."

Not only were India's fans in awe of his performance, but Australia's too, with resounding applause from the crowd at the anthem's conclusion.

Mr Sharma said Cricket Australia's trust in him to perform the anthem acapella -without musical backing- made the moment all the more special.

Living and performing in German at the time, he knew he wanted to sing the anthem in his own way when he received the call.

Shanul Sharma sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem of India ahead of the fifth Test between Australia and India on Friday, January 3. Picture supplied

He recorded a demo for Cricket Australia in a Hanover carpark.

"I felt like it carried the message in a much more effective way," Mr Sharma said.

"I'm glad Cricket Australia agreed for it to be acapella, they had the foresight and insight to go 'you know what, it actually will sound good like this'."

Now a renowned opera singer, Mr Sharma has not forgotten his roots in Wagga.

He said every step towards where he is now can be traced from his early days in the regional town.

"You are everything you did in the past," Mr Sharma said.

"Being in Wagga and playing at the Home Tavern and the Capitol, playing my original music with my band, it all led to this.

"It's been the best thing ever, I am so lucky that I am one of those few people who can do a job that most consider to be a hobby.

"All the stuff we did in Wagga was so important."

Shanul Sharma and his partner Catherine Jardine enjoyed the first day of the final Test after he sang the Indian national anthem. Picture supplied

Thrilled to head into the stands after he sang, Mr Sharma admitted he is a fence-sitter when India and Australia play.

Though it is not a comfortable position to be, he said.

"We have two amazing teams playing cricket in Australia right now and some of the best players in the world," he said.

"Just watching their talent and their discipline and how they're able to focus and concentrate that energy towards the game, that is very inspiring."