‘Aur ye laga Viru paaji ka lamba chakka’ – Fans react as Virender Sehwag urges Indian cricket board to use ‘Bharat’ on player jerseys in 2023 ODI World Cup

Virender Sehwag is a reputed cricketer in India. The former Indian cricketer has a legacy of being one of the most aggressive batters in the history of cricket. During his playing days, Sehwag was a destructive batter and put the bowlers on the backfoot right from the word go. There are instances where Sehwag singlehandedly won matches for the Indian team. 

Sehwag was a popular cricketer too. Back in his playing days, the opening batter enjoyed a lot of fanbase which was rooted for the success of the batter. He batted with huge intent and always entertained the crowd with his batting. Without a doubt, Sehwag was a revolutionary batter. While Sehwag is popular for the same, he is in the news for a different topic this time around. 

‘India is a name given by the British’ – Virender Sehwag

Recently, Sehwag tweeted something which had a mixed response. In the tweet, Sehwag wrote “I have always believed a name should be one which instills pride in us. We are Bharatiyas, India is a name given by the British & it has been long overdue to get our original name ‘Bharat’ back officially. I urge the @BCCI @JayShah to ensure that this World Cup our players have Bharat on our chest,” and asked the Indian cricket board to use the term ‘Bharat’ on the jerseys of the Indian team. 

Sehwag further gave references to similar instances in the past. “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 in the Netherlands & continue to be so. Burma has changed the name given by the British back to Myanmar. And many others have gone back to their original name,” added Sehwag on his Twitter account. 

The opinion of Sehwag became viral on the internet. While some fans appreciated Sehwag on his stand, some criticized the former Indian cricketer for his statement. India is currently playing in the Asia Cup 2023, which will act as a preparatory assignment ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023.  

Here’s how the fans reacted to the views of Sehwag –

Proud of you Sehwag
The biggest match winner India ever produced in tests.

— Maarwadi🚩🚩 (@Marwadi99) September 5, 2023

The game that gave you recognition is also invented by English

— dK (@DarkKnightRised) September 5, 2023

Puri zindagi tumne Team India se hi khela hai.. Ab sarkar ki dalaali ke liye apni aatma na becho

— Amock (@Politics_2022_) September 5, 2023

INDIA is UNSTOPPABLE

— Mohd Abdul Sattar (@SattarFarooqui) September 5, 2023

Virender Sehwag has openly supported the change of name India.
"BHARAT" should be on the jersey of Indian Circket team players.

— अमित तिवारी (@imamitkrtiwari) September 5, 2023

Cricket is national game of British

— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) September 5, 2023

Dude your school name has International in it first change to Sehwag Bhartiye school …

— Mukesh (@mikejava85) September 5, 2023

Whatever they do INDIA WILL WIN

— Mohd Abdul Sattar (@SattarFarooqui) September 5, 2023

But cricket is not a bhartiya game
It’s a game of the British
U sud have played kabaddi or Kho kho

— Rezina Sultana (@RezinaSultana29) September 5, 2023

Aur yeh laga Veeru paaji ka lamba chakka 🥳

— Naveen (@_naveenish) September 5, 2023

Says a guy who played cricket his entire life which was a British game..

— Spirit of Congress✋ (@SpiritOfCongres) September 5, 2023

Cricket was also given by the British.. so stop paying it and start playing gilli danda… pic.twitter.com/sd3ZOTkzGx

— Ganesh Kumar (@slganesh1) September 5, 2023