'It is time for another partnership against Coronavirus' - PM Narendra Modi cites example of iconic Natwest trophy final knock of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif

Amidst the coronavirus threat, the entire country has been trying to avoid social gatherings. The people have been told to avoid going out in public in order to get rid of the virus. The highly contagious nature of the virus has opened a challenge for the Indian government to take steps to stop the spreading of COVID-19.

Prime minister Narendra Modi came out and requested all citizens to stay at home in the upcoming weeks. After he announced ‘Janata Curfew’ for Sunday, March 22, the PM found support from many celebrities on social media.

Former Indian cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh were among some famous personalities who urged fans to do the needful via their social media handles on Twitter.

Kaif and Yuvraj urged people to follow PM Narendra Modi’s instruction

Yuvraj posted a tweet asking his fellow citizens to join him in spreading awareness regarding the importance of hygiene. He tweeted, “Let’s collectively follow the directions of PM @narendramodi Ji It’s is real, but we can fight #COVID19 ! I urge every Indian to join me in spreading hygienic awareness and supporting our community. #IndiaFightsCorona”

Let’s collectively follow the directions of PM @narendramodi ji

It’s is real, but we can fight #COVID19 !

I urge every Indian to join me in spreading hygienic awareness and supporting our community.#IndiaFightsCorona

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) March 19, 2020

Singh’s longtime friend and former teammate Mohammad Kaif also joined in and posted a tweet. He urged the Indian citizens to follow the instructions given by PM Modi. He also asked them to take responsibility for their well-being along with the those they love.

He tweeted, “An important message from PM @narendramodi Ji to the nation to fight against #CoronaVirus. – #JantaCurfew to prepare us for upcoming challenges – Avoid panic while buying essential supplies It’s time we take responsibility for the well-being of our loved ones and fellow Indians.“

An important message from PM @narendramodi ji to the nation to fight against #CoronaVirus.

– #JantaCurfew to prepare us for upcoming challenges
– Avoid panic while buying essential supplies

It’s time we take responsibility for the well-being of our loved ones and fellow Indians

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 19, 2020

The Prime Minister read these two tweets and replied to them. He reminded his countrymen of the partnership of Yuvraj and Kaif on the field which we can’t forget. The two players were involved in several match-winning partnerships but the one at Lord’s in 2002 is probably the one which the PM highlighted.

Modi said that all of India should become partners in order to fight the coronavirus. The tweet from his official Twitter handle read, “Here are 2 excellent cricketers whose partnership we will remember forever. Now, as they have said, it is time for another partnership. This time, all of India will be partners in the fight against Coronavirus. #IndiaFightsCorona”

Here are 2 excellent cricketers whose partnership we will remember forever. Now, as they have said, it is time for another partnership. This time, all of India will be partners in the fight against Coronavirus. #IndiaFightsCoronahttps://t.co/a6JJTh8gUWhttps://t.co/koRYZiRT6K

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2020

The partnership about which PM Modi talked about came during the Natwest trophy final in 2002. During that match, India was chasing a record target of 326 runs. After a quick start, India was reduced to 146 for 5 with all their key batsmen back in the hut. The side led by Sourav Ganguly was staring down at another loss in the final of a tournament.

It was at this time, young Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif got together for a brilliant partnership. The duo added 121 runs in just 106 balls to help their side to recover. Singh scored 69 runs off 63 balls with nine fours and one six. After he got out at 267 for 6, Kaif guided the Indians to a famous win. He scored unbeaten 87 runs from just 75 balls. He hit six fours and two sixes during this innings. With this partnership, the world saw the arrival of inspiring cricketers, who went on to become stalwarts of Indian cricket.