Another plane carries a banner over Headingley during India vs Sri Lanka game

As India took on Sri Lanka in their final league match of the ICC World Cup 2019 at Headingley, Leeds, an interesting game was also unfolding in the blues. As Virat Kohli’s side fielded after Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat first, some the spectators spotted as many as three flights by a two-seater plane above the venue with long banners tailing them. And while the first two were about something more serious, the third was as casual as a marriage proposal.

The first two times the plane was seen flying above the venue featuring India, the banners read ‘JUSTICE FOR KASHMIR’ and ‘INDIA STOP GENOCIDE & FREE KASHMIR’. The Indian spectators were understandably concerned over such messages dangling overhead. This is not the first time such a suspicious act has taken place at the same venue in this World Cup. A week earlier, when Afghanistan were playing Pakistan here, a plane flew over with the words ‘JUSTICE FOR BALUCHISTAN’ written behind it.

Regarding the instances in the India-Sri Lanka game, it was reported that the aircraft had violated the airspace and didn’t have the necessary permission to fly over Headingley. It was surprising that the organisers, who have promised foolproof security during the mega event, had not taken strong measures to prevent repetitions of the same overhead act.

The ICC released a statement after the first couple of flights and maintained that they were working with the local police to avoid any such instances. Even as that was being circulated, the third flight happened and is a massive embarrassment not just to the ICC but to the Yorkshire police responsible for maintaining order as well.

A message for Tamara this time

During the third flight, the banner tailing the plane read ‘TAMARA WILL YOU MARRY ME SAM’ and one would find it a serious de-escalation from the political stances.

India and Pakistan continue to have a clash over Kashmir and a suicide attack martyring over 40 Indian security personnel in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in February had threatened to cloud India’s World Cup clash with Pakistan at Old Trafford on June 16.

On the ground on Saturday, Sri Lanka made a decent recovery from being 55 for 4 to end up with a total of 264 for 7 in 50 overs. Angelo Mathews hit a century (113 off 128 balls) to take his side to a respected total. For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 37. He also completed 100 wickets in the ODIs as a result.