Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently lauded the Indian cricket team’s performances, especially in high-stakes matches against Pakistan. However, he has refrained from making direct comparisons between the two teams. Instead, his remarks have focused on celebrating India’s achievements and the players’ resilience.
PM Modi’s Acknowledgment of India’s Performance Against Pakistan
In October 2023, during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, India secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Following this triumph, PM Modi took to social media to commend the team’s all-around excellence. He posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Team India all the way! A great win today in Ahmedabad, powered by all round excellence. Congratulations to the team and best wishes for the matches ahead.”
Similarly, during the T20 World Cup in October 2022, India clinched a thrilling four-wicket win over Pakistan, highlighted by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 balls. PM Modi praised Kohli’s remarkable tenacity, stating: “The India team bags a well-fought victory! Congratulations for an outstanding performance today. A special mention to Virat Kohli for a spectacular innings in which he demonstrated remarkable tenacity. Best wishes for the games ahead.”
Emphasis on Team India’s Resilience
Beyond victories, PM Modi has emphasized the importance of resilience and support for the team during challenging times. After India’s loss in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final, he visited the team’s dressing room to boost their morale. This gesture was widely appreciated, with former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar commenting: “Your PM gave a clear message that he is there with the players. It was a huge gesture… He took them (players) as his children, as kids and he lifted their morale to tell them that they played well.”
Conclusion
While PM Modi has consistently celebrated the Indian cricket team’s successes and shown unwavering support during setbacks, he has not publicly engaged in direct comparisons between the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams. His focus remains on acknowledging the efforts and achievements of Team India.
