India women’s cricket team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has been honored with an invitation to attend the much-awaited Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, set to take place in Ayodhya on January 22. Kaur joins an esteemed list of distinguished cricketers, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Mithali Raj, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, who have previously received invitations for this monumental event. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi also slated to grace the occasion, the Ram Mandir consecration has become the focal point of national attention.
The Inclusion of Cricket Icons:
A couple of days ago, the former Indian captain and legend Mithali Raj also received an invitation to the prestigious Ram Mandir Ceremony which was accepted by her mother. The Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur adds to the list of iconic personalities from the cricket fraternity to be invited to witness and be a part of the divine experience.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s invitation follows those extended to other renowned Indian cricketers. R Ashwin, the off-spinner from the men’s cricket team, was invited by Dr. SG Suryah and Vice-President Venkatraman C, key members of the Tamil Nadu BJP, at his residence before the upcoming occasion. Similarly, Tendulkar, Dhoni, and Kohli have all received invitations, with Dhoni accepting his at his residence in Ranchi as he prepares for his return to the intensely anticipated IPL 2024. However, it remains to be seen if the Indian men’s team, currently gearing up for a Test series against England starting January 25, will be able to attend, given their pre-series training commitments.
Harmanpreet Kaur gets invited to Attend Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha' Ceremony in Ayodhya. #CricketTwitter #RamMandirPranPratishta pic.twitter.com/U8YgwNBiFP
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 19, 2024
Significance and Expectations:
The Ram Mandir ceremony has garnered immense anticipation, attracting thousands of devotees from all corners of the nation, including influential celebrities. Its prominence has been highlighted by its repeated coverage in national media outlets. The attendance of respected cricketers at such an auspicious event further underlines the vital role played by the game in India’s culture and society.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Struggles:
While Kaur’s recent performance during the multi-format series against Australia drew criticism. Throughout the seven matches, including the one-off Test, Kaur managed to score only 26 runs, contributing to India’s loss in both the T20I series (2-1) and the ODI series (3-0) against Australia. Her struggle to make an impact in the white-ball segment after a groundbreaking Test match win in Mumbai has been considered a setback for the team.
As the clock ticks closer to the momentous Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, the inclusion of Harmanpreet Kaur alongside other eminent Indian cricketers only enhances the significance of the event. This assembly of celebrated individuals, unified by their love for cricket and devotion to their country, reinforces the notion that India’s culture amalgamates religion, sports, and unwavering passion. The presence of Kaur, representing the women’s cricket team, cements the sport’s inclusivity and sends a powerful message of unity as the nation comes together to witness this historic occasion.