DDCA abandons plans to felicitate Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag

The Indian cricket team are currently under pressure to churn out the right results in the ongoing home series against Australia after the visitors drew level with the home team by winning the fourth ODI in Mohali by four wickets. The Delhi District and Cricket Association (DDCA) had plans of commemorating state icons Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag ahead of the fifth and final ODI of the series which is slated to be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

However, DDCA has now decided that it will not be going ahead with those plans as a mark of respect to the fallen heroes in last month’s Pulwama terror attack. 

"We had plans of felicitating Sehwag, Gambhir and Kohli but we decided against it since BCCI is also not having an opening ceremony of the IPL. We have also decided to donate Rs 10 lakh to Delhi Police’s Martyrs Fund. As of now, 90 percent of the tickets that was put on public sale has been sold out.

All ex-players from Delhi, who have represented India deserve respect. This is the least we can do for them when an international match is being held," DDCA President Rajat Sharma told PTI.

Team India players had also come up with a special gesture to don camouflage-style army caps in the third ODI at the JSCA International Stadium in MS Dhoni's hometown - Ranchi. Indian captain Virat Kohli had also mentioned that the team had decided to contribute their match fees to the families of the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the attack. India and Australia are scheduled to meet for the ODI series decider on March 13.