As of late, things have been messy. And that’s quite an understatement, actually. With things becoming increasingly messy between India and Pakistan, we’ve all been hoping for a breath of fresh air. Looks like we’re not about to get it, though.
Recently, The Indian cricket team was spotted wearing army caps during. a cricket match.
Reports state that in the third ODI against Australia, the Indian cricket team wore army caps to express solidarity with the victims of the Pulwama attack and to support the Indian army.
It is being said that the team will continue to wear these caps for at least one match per year.
The Indian cricket team will be wearing camouflaged caps during the match as a tribute to the country’s armed forces. They will be doing this for at least one match every year going forward. pic.twitter.com/R36F47nb0q
— The Field (@thefield_in) March 8, 2019
Now, here’s the thing. A sport like cricket – which is played internationally – really should be free of politicization. Nationalism and patriotism all have a space, but a game that is internationally played should probably be just that – a game.
Therefore, this act was severely criticized by a lot of people on social media.
Politicising GentleMan's Game😲!!!
And What Happens wen You Get Political…You loose🙃!!!#indiancricket#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/mybHd1Le7w— VEENA MALIK (@iVeenaKhan) March 8, 2019
People asserted that the players of each team are messengers of peace and NOT proponents of war
Players should be Messengers of Peace not the Symbols of Warmongering – India's Cricket Captain Kohli is a good player but a mindless Modi-Bhakt! https://t.co/oWXD4mtno9 via @SkySports
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) March 8, 2019
Fawad Chaudhry even stepped in and urged the ICC to take serious action against the Indian cricket team.
“It’s just not Cricket”, I hope ICC ll take action for politicising Gentleman’s game … if Indian Cricket team ll not be stopped, Pak Cricket team should wear black bands to remind The World about Indian atrocities in Kashmir… I urge #PCB to lodge formal protest pic.twitter.com/GoCHM9aQqm
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 8, 2019
In fact, Fawad Chaudhry even highlighted how politicizing the “gentleman’s game” must be penalized. If not, then the Pakistan team should wear black bands to symbolize their support for the oppression in Kashmir.
People even questioned if this was, at all, sensible.
Indian cricket team landed with Army caps.
Where is ICC now? Is it a sensible thing to do in Cricket?#INDvAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/d4w2ZqqYiB— Rana Latif (@RanaLat32071090) March 8, 2019
The militarization of sports was shunned by all
#IndianCricket Team wore Indian Army caps during an International Match.#ICC should take notice. Sports are not to be militarised.
If ICC does not take notice then #PakistanCricket team should wear caps with pictures of #KashmiriPelletGunVictims Of Indian Army.
Tit 4 Tat.
— Mir Mohammad Alikhan (@MirMAKOfficial) March 8, 2019
A few people charted out a comparison between Moeen Ali and the Indian cricket team by highlighting how he was warned by the ICC for wearing a wrist band to support the people of Gaza
When Moeen Ali worn Gaza bracelet , ICC warned him not to repeat this in future now what action ICC will take against India ? pic.twitter.com/eNw8tLfdMa
— muhammad Noman (@muhamma62025313) March 8, 2019
Ask Moeen Ali about the response he got for wearing his Gaza wristband. He was slapped down and it was the correct response by the authorities. So why should the BCCI and the ICC treat this differently? Imagine how the IOC would have reacted?
— Dennis Review System (@DennisCricket_) March 8, 2019
People made efforts to expose the biased nature of the ICC
In July, 2014 ICC banned Moeen Ali for wearing 'Save Gaza' wristbands, but today Indian players wore army caps in their 3rd ODI match against Austraila, now the question is, why ICC didn't say anything to them?@ICC #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/72PKvYarDE
— ❥•✿͜͡❁Iram Choudary❁͜͡✿❥ (@IramRChoudary) March 8, 2019
@ICC dual character!! or one character. (prove it)
1 Moeen Ali banned from wearing 'Free Palestine' and 'Save Gaza' wristbands during Test match against India..
2. Indian cricketers wear army camouflage caps as patriotism grips country but………….? #UsmanKhawaja pic.twitter.com/7FTk8vQ0W3— Atiق Ahمad جan🇵🇰 (@EAAJAN) March 8, 2019
Some people decided to take shots at the Indian cricket team by using Usman Khawaja as their shield.
India was wearing the 'Army Cap' to show their Army and THEY LOST.
And guess what is was due to Usman Khuwaja, born in Islamabad, who scored a hundred.#INDvAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/iJlL5zlEVF
— Lahore Qalandars 🇵🇰 (@iSaadAwais22) March 8, 2019
So Indian Cricket team is wearing Special caps to support their Army and a Pakistani Born Usman Khawaja smahsed a Century against them. How beautiful 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/emKVeXa0r5
— Ahsan. 🇵🇰 (@imPakistaniLAD) March 8, 2019
To provide some context: Usman Khawaja, the cricketer who scored a century against India during the match in which they had donned those army caps, hails from Pakistan.
India lost the match by 32 Runs today in which they were wearing Fouji Caps, courtesy Century by Pakistani Born Usman Khawaja. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/JfrlhnXnPm
— Ahsan. 🇵🇰 (@imPakistaniLAD) March 8, 2019
The Best thing on Twitter today:
Indian cricket team wore indian Army cap to show support to their Army
In Return
Pak born USMAN khawaja did strike by scoring 💯 against them🤣
It didnt end here…..India LOST😬
— Nasreen (@Nas_k27) March 8, 2019
Of course, Adnan Sami was dragged in as well.
Thanks to Major Adnan Sami for providing pitch report to Usman Khawaja . https://t.co/h9l4MiIOHh
— K H A Y A M 🤡 (@KhayamSays) March 8, 2019
Some people tried to meme the situation.
Warne: So, how well Pakistani born Usman Khawaja played today?
Kohli: Sorry Sir, I am not supposed to tell you that.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/r6a6rSs4u4
— چیف عسکری رینــچ 🔧™️ (@troll_keeper) March 8, 2019
We will surprise you 💞✌
Kesa diya 😝#UsmanKhawaja pic.twitter.com/WEwpUYhViA— Ｄａｎｉａ ✪ (@_daniaHere) March 8, 2019
Can you really meme such a situation?
Well, giving the impending air of uncertainty, there’s no telling what happens next. Do you think this was justified? Let us know what your opinion is on this in the comments below.
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Cover image via Twitter