Indian cricketer's mothers react to the Star Plus initiative 'Nayi Soch'

The last game of the five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand at Vizag was a special one as the Indian players wore jerseys with their mothers’ names to pay respect to their contribution towards their success. The idea, which came out of the Star Plus initiative called Nayi Soch, brought a small change to the age-old tradition of having father’s last name behind the players’ jersey.

Limited overs skipper, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were the face of the campaign. Dhoni later explained that this was done to appreciate the things the player’s mothers had done for them. This act of giving respect to their respective mother had not happened before. So, naturally, the mothers were quite delighted with this gesture. Dhoni’s mother, Devaki, who watched the match from her home in Ranchi was all praises for the initiative. “Achcha lagta hai,” she said.

Daljit Bumrah, mother of Team India’s pacer Jasprit, said that it was a sentimental moment when she was informed by her brother that the players have donned the jerseys with the names of their mothers.

“It was a very emotional moment when I saw my name on my son’s jersey. He has made me famous worldwide,” she said over the phone from Ahmedabad.

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“It was a proud moment for all mothers and we thank God for that. For me Diwali came a day earlier when I saw this and had tears of gratitude and happiness in my eyes,” she said.

“Although I appreciate this acknowledgement, they (the players) should have their own names too as they all have worked so hard to reach this position,” she said.

Incidentally, no two players in the present squad share a common mother’s name. Jayant Yadav, who made his ODI debut, wore a jersey with his biological mother’s (Lakshmi) name on it. This, however, has not upset his stepmother, Jyoti.

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“It is fine. I have absolutely no problems with it”, she said from Delhi.

Although the 26-year-old right arm off-break bowler admitted his mistake at the presentation ceremony, his sister, Gargi has requested that the name to be changed in the next time, if the players decide to continue the same practice. Jayant’s mother, an air-hostess, had died in a plane crash about 17 years ago before his father got married again to Jyoti, who brought him up.

Axar Patel’s parents had to give the Saturday match a miss since they are currently on a tour in Kerala. “We only heard about it and we are on cloud nine,” said Axar’s mum, talking from a cruise.

In a bittersweet moment, Chandrakali, mother of Amit Mishra had to spend her Saturday in the clinic due to health problems. But Amit’s sister conveyed the message saying: “We have informed her about Amit’s performance and the jersey. On hearing this she was very happy.”