Virat Kohli's India wear special military caps in Ranchi ODI as a tribute to Pulwama martyrs
In an attempt to pay respect to the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack, India captain Virat Kohli wore a special camouflage cap when he came out for the toss in the third ODI against Australia in Ranchi.
Kohli, who won the toss and opted to bowl, said the entire team will wear the special millitary caps in Ranchi as a tribute to the fallen CRPF men.
The Indian captain added that all the players will donate their match fee of this particular game to the National Defence Fund. The money will be used for the well-being of the families of the Pulwama martyrs.
Kohli also urged the nation to come forward and donate generously to the National Defence Fund.
The attack took place on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, leaving 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers dead.
According to reports, the move has been mooted by none other than Lt. Col. MS Dhoni (he's with the Territorial Army) and skipper Kohli.
Earlier, Dhoni presented the special caps to all the team members and the support staff soon after the warm-up at his home ground - the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
While the process starts in the third game of the ongoing series between India and Australia in Ranchi, it will now be a norm during one game every season on Indian soil.
Speaking to IANS, a senior BCCI official said that Dhoni's love for the armed forces is well documented.
"It's fitting that the start of this annual event is being done at the home town of Lt. Col. Dhoni because it is not a superficial event but a sincere one. I for one will not be surprised if Dhoni ends up doing active service after he hangs his boots.
"To me, today's symbolic act depicting solidarity with the forces is more powerful than the one involving monetary donation by the BCCI," the official said.
Elaborating on the whole idea, the official said: "The idea is to pay tribute to the armed forces and their families. To encourage countrymen to donate to the National Defence Fund for taking care of the education of the dependents of the martyrs.
"Dhoni will be presenting these caps to his team-mates and former India players in the support staff soon after the warm ups. These caps will also be given to former India players who are part of the commentary team."
Sources in the know of the whole development said that Dhoni and Kohli worked closely with Nike in this whole initiative.
"They have been working closely with our apparel partner Nike for the past six months with inputs in the design and proposed implementation of the initiative," the official added.
