The Indian cricket team, during its tour to England, is facing a tough challenge. With the final test underway, England is comfortably sitting at an indomitable lead of 3-1. The final match in this series which is ongoing at the Kennington Oval ground in London was witness to a beautiful spectacle which revolved around the contribution of Indian soldiers in World War I. On 8th of September, England captain Joe Root and his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli wore a unique poppy made of Khadi on their coats to pay respect to the Indian soldiers who had put their lives on the wire fighting on the British side. The plan was initiated by Indian origin peer Lord Jitesh Gadhia and was commissioned by the Royal British Legion charity to mark 100 years of the end of the First World War. The British symbol of red cloth poppy is used to honour the soldiers who died in the war, making the iconic symbol in Khadi is to show the appreciation for the Indian soldiers. Virat Kohli and Joe Root wearing the Khadi poppy on their sleeves made the perfect headlines and made aware about the India’s contribution in the First World War.
Khadi, as we all know is symbolic for India and the handwoven cotton is also associated with the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Lord Gadhia said, “The Khadi poppy is a hugely symbolic and highly appropriate gesture to recognise the outsized contribution of Indian soldiers during World War I.”
It is a nice gesture from Britain to use the Test Match as an opportunity to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who had put down their lives even when their country was colonised. Both Joe Root and Virat Kohli appeared confident as they proudly carried the Khadi poppy. On the third day of the match another spectacle awaited the crowd as out came members of the Royal British Legion along with Surrey Cricket Club to play a friendly match. The match was organised during the lunch break on the third day of the match. It was a re-enactment of the WWI match played between the Royal Manchester Regiment and the Sikh Regiment, the players on September 10th used old fashioned wooden bats and outfits which reminded one of the old days. The players on both the teams of the friendly match wore outfits made of Khadi to express their gratitude to India and its brave soldiers.
This beautiful acknowledgement of the contribution of Indian soldiers to the cause of the British is a welcome move and it is a moving gesture which has come at an important time. Joe Root and the England cricket team and administration have proven that while they continue to be fierce competitors on the field, they have immense respect for the Indian contribution to Britain’s cause and Virat Kohli becoming the recipient of this gesture will make youngsters back home in India remember the sacrifices made by their forefathers.