India vs South Africa: Reason behind hosts wearing special stickers on their Test jersey

On October 2 every year, India celebrates Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday and it’s also a national holiday. This time around, it was the ‘Father of the Nation’s 150th birth anniversary. This year, India is also celebrating the Swachch Bharat Diwas and Kiren Rijiju, the Union Sports Minister, flagged off ‘Fit Indian Plog run’ on Wednesday Morning to mark Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

Bajrang Punia, the freestyle wrestler, also joined the minister at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Plogging refers to jogging and simultaneously picking up litter. The same was introduced in Sweden back in 2018 and then other countries started after concerns surrounding plastic pollution. It also works as a proper workout owing to the body movements, bending and running.

The Indian cricket team has also taken a heartfelt step surrounding the Swachch Bharat Diwas. The players of the side are wearing the Swachch Bharat stickers on their jersey during the opening Test versus South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Prior to the game, Ravi Shastri, Team India’s head coach, posted a video on Twitter, making people aware about the hazards of pollution.

He also urged people to be a part of the Plogging Run initiative — an amalgamation of Fit India Movement and Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan — launched by the Union Sports Minister and Narendra Modi, the Honourable Prime Minister. Shastri said that people should pick up litters.

Here’s a glimpse of the special stickers on India’s jersey

India makes a stupendous start

As far as action on the field is concerned, the hosts have had the upper hand thus far. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the openers- Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal- didn’t allow the Proteas bowlers to settle into a rhythm. Both batters milked the bowling with ease. Rohit opened for the first time in Tests and he passed with flying colours, having scored a century off 154 balls.

Midway through the second session on Day 1, the skies became dark and rain started lashing down. At that point in time, India was on 202 for no loss in 59.1 overs. During the break, Mayank was also not out on 84 off 183 balls. Needless to stay that the visitors have looked all at sea thus far.

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