Suryakumar-Yadav. (Photo Source: Twitter/Suryakumar Yadav)
As India celebrates its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, August 15, members of the cricket fraternity took to their social media handles to extend their heartfelt wishes to the people of the nation.
The likes of flamboyant batter Jemimah Rodrigues, Virat Kohli, former batter Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja were among the many who shared tweets on their ‘X’ handle (formerly known as Twitter) to wish their countrymen on the auspicious occasion.
It is worth mentioning that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and skipper Rohit Sharma were among the few who changed their ‘display picture’ (DP) to the national flag. This came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to hoist the tricolor at their homes and also change display pictures on social media to the tricolour as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
Here is how cricketers extended their wishes on Independence Day 2023
From every corner of our glorious nation, we come together as one to celebrate the essence of being Indian. Happy Independence Day, everyone! May our tri-colour always fly high.
Jai Hind! 🫡🇮🇳#IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/WcXaAwlAqB
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) August 15, 2023
Grateful to be playing for this country. Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/OTVMaAhDh0
— Jemimah Rodrigues (@JemiRodrigues) August 15, 2023
Every time I wear the blue, it’s for our tricolor. Wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/3JsL1NHeX9
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) August 15, 2023
Happy Independence Day to all. Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 15, 2023
A nation like no other, an honour comparable to none.
Wishing everyone a very happy Independence Day!🇮🇳
May our country continue to rise and shine and may we do our best to continue to contribute to its glory! pic.twitter.com/yguMWte0uY
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) August 15, 2023
May we embark on a collective journey of growth, goodwill, and prosperity as we celebrate our 77th
Independence Day. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/urz4FIXKhg
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) August 15, 2023
𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍! 🇮🇳🇮🇳
As our nation celebrates 76 years of freedom, let’s take a minute and salute all those bravehearts on this 77th Independence Day 🇮🇳🇮🇳
𝐉𝐀𝐈 𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃! 🇮🇳🇮🇳#IndependenceDayIndia #IndependeceDay2023 #MeraBharatMahaan #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/lwfJsUA5I8
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) August 14, 2023
Ishq ka toh pata nahi, par jo tumse hai woh kisi aur se nahi!
Jai Hind 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/lhxyCY8Iw7
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 15, 2023
Today, as we celebrate #IndependenceDay , let us remember and honor the sacrifices of our freedom fighters who fought tirelessly to give us the gift of independence. Let us also take a moment to appreciate the diversity and unity that makes India truly special. Jai Hind… pic.twitter.com/n5WWNfD6iK
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) August 15, 2023
I bow down to all those who
laid down their lives so that we can celebrate this day.
Happy #IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/9SyhEjFoUv
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 15, 2023
Salute to the unbreakable determination and sacrifices of those who safeguarded our nation with unflinching strength. May we live in alignment with our Dharma . #IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/2XtXcyYP41
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 15, 2023
May our tricolour forever fly high, respecting and remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought for our Independence 🇮🇳
Jai Hind!#HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/1YaDGPhZAh
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) August 15, 2023
Heartiest Greetings to all on #IndependenceDayIndia. Lets remember the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and resolve to take the country on the path of peace, harmony and progress. Our every step should ensure that we are contributing to the Nation. pic.twitter.com/Tct2FHFeUD
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 15, 2023
ऐ वतन, वतन मेरे, आबाद रहे तू
मैं जहाँ रहूँ जहाँ में याद रहे तू
Wishing a very happy Independence Day to my fellow Indians all over the world 🇮🇳 #HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/dseIcaU2ub
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 15, 2023
Proud to belong to a nation that is self made & one that rose against all odds to be a power house in the world! 👏👏👏🇮🇳#IndiaIndependenceDay
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 15, 2023
🇮🇳 The blurry image of the flag you see in this picture is not just a flag, it’s an emotion which I wore on my chest for my entire career. Let us keep our flag flying high. Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Indians. #HappyIndependenceDay 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/tvz43veHav
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 15, 2023
Team India gears up for Asia Cup 2023
Speaking about the national team, the Men in Blue concluded their tour of the West Indies after losing the series-decider clash in the fifth T20I. With a scoreline of 3-2, the Windies won their first T20I series against team India since 2017.
Team India will now turn their attention towards the crucial Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup, as their campaign is set to begin on September 2. The Men in Blue led by Rohit Sharma will lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in their first match of the ACC event at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.
In addition to this, Rohit Sharma and Co. will kickstart their campaign in the eagerly-anticipated ODI World Cup on October 8 as they go head-to-head with five-time winners Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The high-voltage India-Pakistan fixture at the big-ticket event will be played on October 14 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The BCCI is likely to announce the squad for the Asia Cup in the coming days. It is worth noting that the think tank will likely back a core setup that will play both in the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup.