Srinagar: Former India opener Virender Sehwag has urged BCCI to use Bharat instead of India on the Team India jerseys during upcoming ICC World Cup 2023.
Sehwag gave his opinion on Social media in the backdrop of controversy over invitations for a September 9 dinner at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during the G20 summit had referred to President Droupadi Murmu as “President of Bharat” rather than “President of India”.
“I have always believed a name should be one which instills pride in us. We are Bhartiyas, India is a name given by the British and it has been long overdue to get our original name ‘Bharat’ back officially. I urge the BCCI (secretary) Jay Shah to ensure that in this World Cup our players have Bharat on our chest,” Sehwag posted on X (Twitter).
He also gave examples of other nations who had changed their names.
“In the 1996 World Cup, Netherlands came to play in the World Cup in Bharat as Holland. In 2003, when we met them, they were The Netherlands and continue to be so. Burma have changed the name given by the British back to Myanmar.And many others have gone back to their original name,” he added.
Replying to comment that he should have been a Member of the Parliament , said, “I am not at all interested in politics. Have been approached by both major parties in the last two elections. My view is that most entertainers or sportsmen should not enter politics as most are there for their own ego and hunger for power and barely spare genuine time for people, few are exceptions but generally most only do PR. I love being involved with cricket and commentating and being a part time MP whenever convenient is not something I ever aspire for”.