By Yajurvindra Singh One of the most cherished moments for a person who is a sportsperson comes when they represent their nation in their own sports.The tears of happiness when one achieves success in the colors of one’s nation goes beyond the individual aspirations.
The first significant moment in the life of a sportsperson is the moment when they hand over their national kit to a.The Indian design on the blazer, clothes caps, ties, and caps as well as on bags and other equipment evokes feelings of joy and pride.
When one wears national colors, one realizes and considers one’s responsibility and the expectations of the people that one represents.The most successful athletes are thrilled, but sports isn’t just about winning but more about participation and representing one’s nation.
In cricket the best moment in cricket is when a player is presented with the Indian cap.The soft headgear, afterward becomes one’s most sought-after and most precious possession.Every player spends thousands of hours honing their abilities in rain, hail or sun.The honor of taking on the nation finally is a part of the journey, but taking part in the country’s success is a feeling of joy.
Since the first Test match played by India played in 1932 only 329 cricketers have enjoyed the privilege of playing in the Test match for India.The Indian cap was an expensive item that was worn only by cricketers who played for the nation.
There have been occasions in the past where the other cricketer has inadvertently donned an Indian cap or sweater, and in the process, was severely punished.
The Indian Test cap was first introduced with the circular emblem with the star, and later was later changed to include three lions as well as the Ashoka chakra.
Then, in the 60s it was back to the round logo.
One wonders if the brand new Parliament’s roaring Lions will be incorporated to the Indian Test cricket cap in the near future.
In 1977, at Bangalore was the year I made my debut in the Test against England.The captain of the team, Bishan Bedi, handed the cap to me.We were batting first and my concern was whether to wear my unique Bombay Gymkhana colourful yellow-and-black striped cap or the India cap.
I chose the latter and was covered to take the bat in to bat.In the seats nearby were a handful of our previous Indian cricketers.The most notable of among them was the former Indian captain The Nawab of Pataudi.
He probably noticed the BG cap that was on my lap, and asked whether I was planning to wear it while playing.I hesitantly replied “yes” and he impressed me with the significance of the Indian colors.
He was very clear with me that this was not a football match, and one in which one represents one’s country.The Indian cap is specifically given to honor one.Then I used it to bat and to field.When I broke two records in the world of the most catch in an innings, and in the game when I was playing, the Nawab gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Then it hit me about the significance and significance of the Indian colors.The Indian cap is a major honor in the life of an athlete and it is one that demands its lustre to endure forever.
Unfortunately, we are in the realm of branding and marketing and utilizing every avenue in which we can earn money.The selling of the Indian cricket team’s clothes is now available to cricket fans and supporters on all corners of the streets.
It is important to differentiate an international cricketer’s attire from the clothes of the general public.The limited-overs variant, commonly described as an impromptu cricket show is a less sexy form of the sport.
The merchandising aspect of it is very logical since fans and supporters contribute in the loyalty of the team to the game.
The problem is when the Indian Test colours and the crested caps and sweaters become an off-the-shelf purchase item.One’s heart breaks when you see amateur cricketers playing for clubs as well as other players playing cricket in caps and sweaters worn by members of the Indian Test team.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) the organization responsible for world cricket has to implement in specific rules and regulations.
The introduction of the World Test Championship has revived Test cricket, and the ICC should be proud of it.It is now time to ensure that the caps, helmets,, and sweaters must bear only the country’s emblem.The ICC has to safeguard the rights of its citizens, to ensure that it can’t be used to sell merchandise by any and everyone.
One can observe with the quantity of limited-overs cricket that is being played all over the world the importance of being a Test cricketer has decreased significantly.
A cricketer who plays limited-overs will never be recognized in the same way as an experienced Test cricketer.Cricket isn’t a speedily crafty sport.
It has more than 145 years of Test history to back it.
In India perhaps the solution is that the nation’s emblem, which will the new India’s parliament building that is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Asoka at Sarnath could be made the symbol of the Indian Cap for Tests.
One hopes that the Test cricket in India will then sound with distinction.The cap will get its unique appearance for a cricketer to be proud of.
(Yajurvindra Singh was an ex- India cricketer)
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