Former Cricketer And Politician Kirti Azad Criticises PM Modi's Visit to Indian Cricket Team's Dressing Room
Kirti Azad, former cricketer, Trinamool Congress politician, and a member of the 1983 Cricket World Cup-winning Indian team, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his reservations about Prime Minister Narendra Modi”s recent visit to the Indian cricket team”s dressing room after India lost to Australia in the ICC World Cup final in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium on last Sunday. Azad, who played seven Test matches and 25 One Day Internationals for the Indian national cricket team between 1980 and 1986, emphasized the sanctity of the dressing room as the inner sanctum of any sports team.
In a tweet, Azad said, “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. PM of India should have met the team outside the dressing room in the private visitors” area. I say this as a sportsman and not politician.”
Azad went on to draw a parallel between the privacy of the dressing room and personal spaces, asking, “Would @narendramodi allow his supporters to come and console or congratulate him in his bedroom, dressing room, or the toilet?”
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.PM of India should have met
the team outside the dressing
room in the private visitors
area.I say this as a…
— Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) November 21, 2023
The former cricketer”s remarks raise questions about the protocol and etiquette surrounding official visits to sports team dressing rooms, particularly emphasizing the need for respecting the established norms set by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC has stringent rules restricting access to the dressing room, allowing only players and essential support staff during matches.
Before meeting the players in the dressing room, PM Narendra Modi graced the Cricket World Cup 2023 final joining a host of dignitaries including Australia Deputy Prime Minister. Not only did he participate in the presentation ceremony, presenting the ODI Cricket World Cup trophy to Australia”s triumphant captain Pat Cummins, but he also made a notable visit to the Indian cricket team”s dressing room. The ensuing images of this encounter have swiftly become viral on various social media platforms. Expressing his appreciation, Mohammed Shami, the top wicket-taker of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, conveyed gratitude to fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament. Additionally, Shami extended thanks to PM Narendra Modi for taking the time to meet the players in the dressing room. Ravindra Jadeja also expressed his gratitude towards the Prime Minister for the special interaction.
हर जय-पराजय और संघर्ष में सदैव साथ!
पीएम @narendramodi जी🙏 pic.twitter.com/DfjA45nWVz
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 21, 2023
