Indian cricketers await their rakhis
Team India players’ sisters look forward to Raksha Bandhan, thanks to their brothers being around this year
The ongoing pandemic has been a blessing in disguise for many, especially for sisters of the Indian cricket squad, who look forward to celebrating Raksha Bandhan early next week. Usually out touring for matches around the world at this time of the year, the cricketers are presently all home, some even living close to their sisters.
Speaking to us over the phone from Jamnagar, one of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s two sisters, Naina Jadeja, is especially thrilled about having Revdi, what the sisters lovingly call their brother, close by this year. “We celebrate rakhi every year, but on most occasions, Revdi is touring and not at home. But because he is not around, we tie a rakhi to Lord Ganesha and offer prayers to bless him. This year, though, it is different. I can tie him the rakhi,” says Naina, excitedly.
Team India Captain Virat Kohli’s sister Bhawana Dhingra will tie rakhi to one of her brothers, Vikas, in Delhi, but she will send her blessings and mail her rakhi to Virat who lives with his actress wife Anushka in Mumbai
We celebrate rakhi every year, but on most occasions, Revdi is touring and not at home. Because he is not around, we would tie a rakhi to Lord Ganesha and offer prayers to bless him. This year, though, it is different. I can tie him the rakhi
— Naina Jadeja, Ravinder Jadeja’s sister
Even pace bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar’s only sister Rekha, who is married and lives in Delhi, is just as thrilled to have her brother living in Greater Noida with his wife Nupur around this year, and not touring. But she is mindful of the pandemic and the limitations it poses. “We celebrate rakhi every year, too. This year, we’ll celebrate the festival at my home and with the same enthusiasm but keeping in mind the pandemic,” says Rekha.
Vice-captain Rohit Sharma, has no real sisters, but his cousin Gayatri, who lives in Mumbai, is excited he’s around this year. “He has not been at home for 4-5 years, and this time, given that he is in India, I hope to at least have the rakhi couriered to him, due to the lockdown restrictions,” she says.
BLESSED AND GIFTED
Hanuma Vihari’s only sister Vaishnavi, who lives in Bangalore, hopes to mail her rakhi to her brother in Hyderabad. “When he is out touring, my brother usually sends me money on Raksha Bandhan. This year though he is still away in Hyderabad, it is closer than otherwise and I wish him success and happiness in life,” adds Vaishnavi.
Even Team India Captain Virat Kohli’s only married sister Bhawana Dhingra will tie rakhi to one of her brothers, Vikas, in Delhi, but she will send her blessings and mail her rakhi to Virat who lives with his actress wife Anushka in Mumbai.
Madhu (Dimple), one of Kuldeep Yadav’s three sisters, believes she is lucky to have her brother home this year, so she can tie him a rakhi. As for what she hopes for a gift from him, she is unabashed. “If the IPL happens this year, winning the trophy will be the biggest gift to us,” she says. Kuldeep plays for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Speaking of gifts, even Naina, Ravindra Jadeja’s sister, appears rather altruistic. “I am not expecting return, but we wish he brings more glory to the nation,” she says. “Revdi has given his everything to the family-name and fame. I just wish he continues to play for the country and make us proud. It will be the best gift to both me and our other sister Padmini.”
Vice-captain Rohit Sharma’s cousin Gayatri, who lives in Borivalli in Mumbai, is excited to have him around despite the restrictions of the lockdown. “He has not been at home for four to five years, and this time, given that he is in India, I hope to at least have the rakhi couriered to him,” she says.
Hanuma Vihari’s sister Vaishnavi, who lives in Bangalore, hopes to mail her rakhi to her brother in Hyderabad. “When he is out touring, my brother usually sends me money on Raksha Bandhan. This year though he is still away in Hyderabad, it is closer than otherwise and I wish him success and happiness in life,” she says.