The Indian cricket team decided to play the Ranchi ODI in the army camouflage caps to honour those killed in the terror attack in Pulwama last month. They also donated all their match fees for the ODI to the National Defence Fund.
At the toss, India’s captain Virat Kohli spoke of the decision. “It is a special cap,” Kohli said. “This is to pay respect to the martyrs of the Pulwama attack and their families. All the players have decided to donate their match fees from this particular game to the National Defence Fund. I, as the captain of the team, would urge everyone in the country to do the same, donate how much ever they can to the National Defence Fund and help in the education and well-being of the families and the children of those who lost their lives in the attack. So this is a very special cap and a very special game indeed.”
Commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted this gesture was initiated by MS Dhoni, who is an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Indian territorial army. Dhoni presented the cap to Kohli before the toss. This could be Dhoni’s last international in his hometown, Ranchi.
BCCI tweeted: “#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.”
Source: ESPN Crickinfo