New Delhi: The government has submitted a proposal to the Board of Trustees for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host a cricket match between India and the rest of the world on Aug. 22 as part of celebrations marking 75 years of India’s independence, sources said.
The sources indicated that the Ministry of Culture, which sent the proposal, is in talks with BCCI officials to try to bring in top Indian players and popular cricketers from abroad to play the match as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav -campaign.
BCCI sources said at this time that the proposal is still under discussion as there are many operational and logistical elements associated with sourcing the services of international players.
“We have received a proposal from the government to organize a cricket match between India XI and World XI on August 22. For a rest of the world we need at least 13-14 international players and their availability is something we need. to check, said a source.
He added that at that time English domestic cricket would be underway and the Caribbean Premier League would also start. The BCCI is looking at whether international players should be financially compensated for their participation.
As for the services of international cricketers, BCCI’s top officials will be in Birmingham for the annual ICC conference (July 22-26), where they can talk to officials from other boards to release some of their players for the match in India.
Getting top stars from the Indian team will not be a problem, the sources said.
An away series against Zimbabwe, consisting of three ODIs, ends on August 20. Some players in this particular series may not arrive until August 22 and therefore not be available.
However, top players love Virat Kohlic† Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pantthose not going to Zimbabwe will be available before leaving for Asia Cup from August 27 in Sri Lanka.
BCCI sources stated that all Indian players will be solicited and likely to join the squad before the match.
They added that the Indian cricketers need little persuasion as it is an event organized under the auspices of the Indian government.
The reason for concern at the moment is to ensure the quality of the World XI team is top notch, they said.
At the moment it is unclear whether the match will have the status of an international T20 or a friendly.
Though it is yet to be confirmed, if conducted, the match is likely to be held at the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds in Delhi.
The government’s Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav campaign is an initiative to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence, focusing on events and people who, despite being part of the freedom struggle, have remained largely unknown and unheard of.
As part of the campaign, the government has not only established collaborations between its various departments, but has also joined hands with NGOs, educational institutions, e-commerce platforms and even the general public to promote the country’s achievements in recent years. 75 years and the little-known achievers who have braved great odds to succeed.
According to the calendar of events prepared by the Ministry of Culture, the celebrations will include exhibitions on trains together with the Indian Railways entitled “Azaadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Stations”, and the Kargil Vijay Divas in July when a motorcycle ride organized by the Department of Defense was to reach Tiger Hill.
August also celebrates the birthday of Pingalli Venkayya, who designed the national flag.
The sources said the cricket match under the campaign would show the importance of sport and pay tribute to the popularity of cricket in India.
Also read | Sports Ministry Launches Online Portal for Schemes, Rewards, Benefits
