In a surprising twist of fate on November 19, 2023, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India experienced a sudden downfall in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after an impressive winning streak of 10 matches. The unexpected loss left both Indian fans and players stunned, as their dream of clinching the championship crumbled in the decisive match of the tournament.
As India, a nation passionate about cricket, grappled with the heartbreak of losing to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 finals, a surprising source of solace emerged. Videos circulated, revealing Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering words of comfort to the dejected Indian cricket team in their dressing room post the final match. The collective disappointment resonated across the country, but these glimpses of the Prime Minister consoling the team provided a unique moment of unity in the face of defeat.
But Kirti Azad didn’t miss the seemingly innocent move. Azad, a former cricketer from the triumphant 1983 World Cup team turned politician, currently holding the position of State in charge for the All India Trinamool Congress in Goa, took to Twitter to express his dissent. He raised concerns about the Prime Minister entering the team’s dressing room, questioning the appropriateness of the action.
Azad stressed the sacredness of the dressing room, highlighting its exclusive designation for players and support staff per International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations. He portrayed it as the innermost sanctum of any cricket team, emphasizing the importance of keeping it inviolable.
“The dressing room is the sanctum sanctorum of any team. @ICC does not allow anybody to enter these rooms apart from the players and the support staff.” He wrote on his X handle.
Azad went on to propose that the Prime Minister should have followed established norms by meeting the team in the private visitors’ area outside the dressing room. His hypothetical query, “Would Narendra Modi allow his supporters to come and console or congratulate him in his bedroom, dressing room, or the toilet?.”
Kirti Azad, during his brief tenure from 1980 to 1986, contributed to the Indian cricket team by participating in 7 test matches and 25 ODIs. His performance included scoring a total of 404 runs and taking 10 wickets.
