Modaks, Mantras And Middle Stumps: Indian Cricketers Gear Up For Ganeshotsav
Ganeshotsav 2025, beginning August 27, promises not just spiritual celebration but a glimpse into the personal rituals of India’s cricketing icons
By : Bipin Dani
Update: 2025-08-26 10:00 GMT
As Mumbai readies itself for the rhythmic chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, the cricketing fraternity—ever entwined with the city’s soul—is preparing to welcome Lord Ganesha with the same fervor they bring to the pitch. Ganeshotsav 2025, beginning August 27, promises not just spiritual celebration but a glimpse into the personal rituals of India’s cricketing icons.
Faith Beyond the Field
For Rohit Sharma, Ganeshotsav is more than tradition—it’s a quiet homage to roots. In previous years, the Sharma household has welcomed Bappa with eco-friendly idols and intimate family gatherings. If past patterns hold, this year too may see Rohit leading with sustainability, blending reverence with responsibility.
Suryakumar Yadav, Mumbai’s own maverick, is known for his annual visit to Lalbaugcha Raja. Dressed in simple kurta-pajamas, he’s often spotted folding hands before the towering idol, a moment of humility that contrasts his flamboyance on the field. Fans are already speculating whether he’ll make his customary appearance this year, perhaps with a modak in one hand and a prayer in his heart.
Dressing Devotion in Color
The festival isn’t just about rituals—it’s about radiance. Expect Instagram to light up with glimpses of cricketers in festive attire: Shreyas Iyer in embroidered kurtas, Hardik Pandya blending street style with tradition, and perhaps even a surprise appearance from young guns like Tilak Varma or Yashasvi Jaiswal, embracing the cultural pulse of their hometowns.
Cricket Meets Community
Ganeshotsav also brings players closer to their communities. Local clubs often invite cricketers to join aarti ceremonies, distribute sweets, or simply share space with fans. These moments—unfiltered and unscripted—reveal the human side of heroes often seen only through the lens of performance.
A Pause, A Prayer
For athletes constantly on the move, the ten-day festival offers a rare pause. It’s a time to reconnect—with family, with faith, and with the rhythms of home. Whether it’s a quiet visarjan procession or a boisterous dance to the dhol, each gesture carries the weight of gratitude and hope.
As the city prepares to echo with devotion, one thing is certain: cricket and culture will once again walk hand in hand, reminding us that behind every six and century lies a soul that bows before Bappa.
Visarjan and the Spirit of Letting Go
As Ganeshotsav culminates in the vibrant yet bittersweet visarjan processions, cricketers too partake in the ritual of release—symbolically letting go of obstacles, ego, and uncertainty. For many, it’s a moment of reflection before the next series, the next innings, the next challenge.
In past years, fans have seen players like Rahane and Iyer quietly escort their idols to immersion sites, away from the cameras, with folded hands and misty eyes. It’s a reminder that behind every boundary and wicket lies a person seeking grace, just like the rest of us.
Cricket, Culture, and Collective Faith
Ganeshotsav isn’t just a festival—it’s a feeling. And when India’s cricketing stars bow before Bappa, they echo the prayers of millions: for wisdom, strength, and victory—not just on the field, but in life.
Whether it’s a modak offered before match day or a mantra whispered before stepping onto the pitch, the divine and the disciplined walk hand in hand. And in that union, we find the true spirit of Indian cricket—rooted, radiant, and ready.