New Delhi: Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gesture of meeting the Indian players to encourage them after a tough loss against Australia in ODI World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad. Following India’s six-wicket loss on November 19, PM Modi along with Home Minister Amit Shah visited the dressing room and met all the players individually and motivated and encouraged them.
“I have never seen a Prime Minister meeting the players of a team and motivating them after they lose a match. It was a great gesture by PM Modi to encourage our prayers and support them,” Sehwag said in a video shared by ANI.
The former opener, who was part of India’s 2007 and 2011 World Cup-winning captains, stated that Modi’s gesture will motivate the Indian players to perform well in the next World Cup.
#WATCH | Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag says “…I have never seen a prime minister meeting the players of a team and motivating them after they lose a match. It was a great gesture by PM Modi to encourage our prayers and support them. This will help our players to… pic.twitter.com/i9FfZY4Oep
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023
“This will help our players to perform well in the next World Cup…If the prime minister of a country meets the players and encourages them irrespective of the sport, whether it is cricket, hockey or football, it gives the players the confidence to perform well,” he added.
In the video of Modi meeting the players relased by ANI, the PM was seen holding hands with both Kohli and Rohit and said “Aap log pura 10-10 game jeet ke aaye ho, ye to hota rehta (You have come to the final after winning 10 games, these things happen)” before patting on their back.
“Muskuraiye bhai, desh aplogo ko dekh raha hae. Aaplog mehnat bohot kie hae, hota hae. (Smile, the whole of country is looking at you guys. You have put in a lot of hard work. these things happen),” added Modi. He also met India head coach Rahul Dravid, Ravindra Jadeja before praising pacer Mohammed Shami. “Shami, bohot achaa kie ho isbar (well done, Shami),” he said.
