A group of emerging Indian cricket stars, including Washington Sundar, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, and Jitesh Sharma, participated in the sacred Bhasma Aarti at the renowned Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The video capturing this spiritual moment was shared by the news agency ANI on social media.
The Indian cricket team had recently arrived in Indore for the second match of their ongoing three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The players’ participation in the Bhasma Aarti showcased a blend of spiritual reverence and their cricketing commitments.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on social media, Washington Sundar had earlier associated Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple with Madhya Pradesh when asked about his impressions of the state.
#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh | Indian cricketers Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Jitesh Sharma & Ravi Bishnoi attend ‘Bhasma Aarti’ performed at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. pic.twitter.com/PGYyiS809h
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) January 14, 2024
The T20I match against Afghanistan unfolded at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, where leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi made a notable impact, claiming two wickets on a batsman-friendly pitch. Afghanistan set a competitive total of 172-all out, with Gulbadin Naib being the top-scorer, contributing 57 runs off 35 balls.
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In the pursuit of the target, India faced an early setback with the dismissal of captain Rohit Sharma for a golden duck. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli’s explosive performance during the Powerplay wrested control of the chase.
Virat Kohli, playing his first T20I in over a year, displayed aggression with a quick 29 off 16 balls, while Jaiswal’s scintillating half-century (68 off 34) included five fours and six sixes.
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Shivam Dube further bolstered India’s innings with an outstanding unbeaten knock of 63 off 32 balls, featuring five fours and four sixes. India comfortably achieved the target in just 15.4 overs, securing victory in the second T20I and taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The stage is set for the third and final contest, scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on January 17, with India aiming for a clean sweep against Afghanistan.
