India women cricketers now wish to sport names of their fathers’ on the jersey

The India men’s cricket team showed a great gesture when they walked out to play the fifth and last ODI of the series against New Zealand at Vizag. MS Dhoni & Co. wore their mothers’ name on the jersey as a new initiative that tried to focus on the importance of their mothers in their career since they have traditionally carried their last names on the jersey which is induced from the father. The Indian women players now wish to have their fathers’ names on their jerseys for all international matches.

At present, the women players have the option to either use their first name or their second name. The new skipper of the India women’s Twenty20 team for the home series against West Indies and the Asia Cup T20 tournament in Thailand Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar said, “It would be a great idea if we can sport our fathers’ names. In India, the services of only the mother are highlighted and the fathers’ contributions are often ignored.”

Her father, Harmander Singh supported the idea of the men wearing their mother’s name and in this case wished to have both the father and daughter’s name imprinted on the jersey. He said, “The idea of men donning jerseys with their mothers’ names was great. In this case, why only our names, why can’t the names of the father-daughter duo be placed?”

Dorai Raj, father and former coach of Indian ODI captain Mithali Raj wants such a decision to be implemented by the management. “It’s not a bad idea if my name, instead of Raj as our surname, is sported,” he added.

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Indian opener Smriti Mandhana, also agreed with the idea and said, “We should be allowed to have our father’s name,” she said. Speaking from Sangli, her father,”

“Our family name is already there and that is enough. But if all girls want to have their fathers’ names on their jerseys, the idea is welcome.” The 20-years-old said.

Adding to it, former Indian cricketer Diana Eduljee said, “When the decision (to give the mothers’ names) to Dhoni’s men was sanctioned, at the same time the Indian cricket board should have clarified the rule for the women’s team too. In our country, where are the women players given importance anyway? Even the television and print media coverage for them is very poor. That’s how it goes in this country. It is indeed a pity,”

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