MS Dhoni distributes camouflage caps: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman was witnessed distributing camouflage caps before the third ODI.
In what has come as a heartening gesture by the Indian cricket team, the Indian cricketers will be witnessed supporting camouflage caps during the third ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of India at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
Advertisement
The decision was taken as a sign of tribute to the martyred soldiers during the unfortunate Pulwama attacks which happened last month.
Former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel by The Indian Territorial Army, was given the responsibility of distributing the caps among fellow Indian cricketers.
A video of the same has been uploaded on the official Twitter account of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and has been very well-received by the fans. Watch the video below:
#TeamIndia will be sporting camouflage caps today as mark of tribute to the loss of lives in Pulwama terror attack and the armed forces
And to encourage countrymen to donate to the National Defence Fund for taking care of the education of the dependents of the martyrs #JaiHind pic.twitter.com/fvFxHG20vi
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2019
How Twitter reacted:
Lt Col Mahendra Singh Dhoni presents the camouflage cap to #TeamIndia Captain @imVkohli #JaiHind 🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/edLkFJQvSV
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2019
So the Indian team will wear army camouflage style caps today in tribute to, and in solidarity with, the armed forces. Maybe in future, one cricket day will be dedicated to the armed forces. No surprise this is a Dhoni initiative.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 8, 2019
#TeamIndia are sporting camouflage caps today as mark of tribute to the loss of lives in Pulwama terror attack and the armed forces. Lt Colonel Dhoni handed over the caps.
Virat won the toss & opted to bowl first. India are playing the same team, unchanged from the last game
— ChepaukSuperGillies (@supergillies) March 8, 2019
#TeamIndia players are looking 👌🙏#LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #INDvAUS https://t.co/kTYWnMU4IV
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) March 8, 2019
India won the toss and chose to field
Talking about the match, coming on the back of a winning streak, India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to field. During the toss, Kohli disclosed the reason behind donning camouflage caps and also made a praiseworthy announcement regarding the same.
“Looks a better track than what we have played before. [The Army cap] This is to pay respect to the martyrs of the Pulwama attack and their families. We have decided to donate our match fees to the National Defence Fund. No changes. Same team,” Kohli was quoted as saying.
On the other hand, Australia made a solitary change to their playing XI by replacing fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile with Jhye Richardson. “I wasn’t exactly sure, though we would probably have bowled first. Have to bat well and make a big score.
“Nathan Coulter-Nile is out and Jhye Richardson comes in. We have enjoyed playing in these conditions. They’ve been hard work and our batters have been learning a lot. We’re still full of confidence. We’ve been close without playing our best cricket,” Finch said.
