It was an unprecedented emotional moment on the eve of Diwali when the Indian cricket team walked out to play the last ODI against New Zealand at Vizag — the players sported jerseys with their mothers’ name printed instead of their own.
Although the idea came out of a Star Plus initiative called Nayi Soch, the Indian cricket team captain, MS Dhoni explained that this was done to appreciate the things the players’ mothers had done for them.
MS Dhoni wore the jersey with his mother Devaki's name on it. (Photo: Screengrab)
Naturally, mothers of the members of the present Indian team seemed quite elated with their sons’ gesture.
Dhoni’s mother, Devaki, who watched the match from her home in Ranchi was all praises for the initiative. “Achcha lagta hai,” she said.
Daljit Bumrah, mother of Team India’s pacer Jasprit, said that it was a sentimental moment when she was informed by her brother that the players have donned the jerseys with the names of their mothers.
“It was a very emotional moment when I saw my name on my son’s jersey. He has made me famous worldwide,” she said over the phone from Ahmedabad.
“It was a proud moment for all mothers and we thank God for that. For me Diwali came a day earlier when I saw this and had tears of gratitude and happiness in my eyes,” she said adding that it is not fair to take the credit from the players.
“Although I appreciate this acknowledgement, they (the players) should have their own names too as they all have worked so hard to reach this position,” she said.
In the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand, Indian cricketers took field sporting jerseys with their mothers’ name on it. (Photo: BCCI)
Incidentally, no two players in the present squad share a common mother’s name.
Jayant Yadav, who made his ODI debut, wore a jersey with his biological mother’s (Lakshmi) name on it. This, however, has not angered his stepmother, Jyoti.
“It is fine. I have absolutely no problems with it”, she said from Delhi.
Although the 26-year-old right arm off-break bowler admitted his mistake at the presentation ceremony, his sister, Gargi has requested that the name be changed in the next match, if the practice continues. Jayant’s mother, an air-hostess, had died in a plane crash about 17 years ago, before his father got married again to Jyoti, who brought him up.
Axar Patel’s parents had to give the Saturday match a miss since they are currently on a tour in Kerala. “We only heard about it it and we are on cloud nine,” said Axar’s mom, talking from a cruise.
In a bittersweet moment, Chandrakali, mother of Amit Mishra had to spend her Saturday in the clinic due to health problems. But Amit’s sister conveyd the message saying: “We have informed her about Amit’s performance and the jersey. On hearing this she was very happy.”
