New Delhi, Aug 15 (Cricket News) From a reticent MS Dhoni to the lively David Warner, social media was abuzz sportspersons making their presence felt off the field on India's 76th Independence Day.
Most successful Indian skipper Dhoni, who is known for being 'inactive' on social media, started it all when he changed his 'Instagram DP' (display picture) for the first time in two years with a Tricolour and a thought-evoking caption in Sanskrit.
"Dhanya Asmi Bharatven," Dhoni, who is the only captain to have won all three major ICC trophies, captioned, with its Hindi and English translation: "I am blessed to be a Bharatiya." A Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, Dhoni trained with the Parachute Regiment following India's semifinal loss to New Zealand in the World Cup 2019.
Former India captain Virat Kohli, who is known to be a big Dhoni fan, also followed suit as he also changed his Twitter DP to a Tricolour and posted: "75 glorious years. Proud to be an Indian. Happy Independence Day to all. Jai Hind." India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark 75 years of Independence after the end of British rule spanning two centuries.
Wishes also poured in from Down Under.
Aussie opener David Warner, who is known to have made many fans in India during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, also shared his wish on social medial.
"To all our family and friends in India we wish you a Happy Independence Day. #india #love #secondhome #peace #independenceday,” Warner wrote with a photo of the Tricolour.
Indian-origin former Aussie skipper Lisa Sthalekar also wished on the occasion.
"The more I keep travelling back to the country of my birth, the more I learn of the time before independence and after. Building to a brighter future," the 2013 World Cup winner wrote.
Having played his last T20 International winning the T20 World Cup 2016 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, former Windies skipper Darren Sammy became nostalgic.
"The place I played my last international match. #GreatMemories," Sammy wrote in Twitter with his picture with the T20 World Cup 2016 trophy.
Former English cricketer-cum-commentator Kevin Pietersen also put out an Independence Day greetings.
He wrote in Hindi: "… Bharat garv karo aur lamba khade raho. Aap sabhi ke liye ek behtar kal ka nirmaan kar rahe hain (Be proud and stand tall Bharat. You are building a better tomorrow for all!) Former India opener Virender Sehwag in his inimitable style was at his patriotic and poetic best in his Hindi tweet which also quoted the popular song from Karma — 'Aye Watan Tere Liye' "Na poochho zamaane ko ke kya meri kahaani hai, hamaare pahchaan to bas itni hai ki hum Hindustani hai (Don't ask what is my story for the time being, our identity is only that we are Hindustani)," he wrote, followed by the popular lyrics of Karma.
Sehwag also posted of him painting the Tricolour with a caption, "Sare Jahan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara".
Country's other sport icons including the likes of Abhinav Bindra, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, Sania Mirza, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Mithali Raj, Hardik Pandya, among others also celebrated the Independece Day with some heartwarming messages to their fans.
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News Source : PTI
