‘Hum karenge lekin badle me humko gas pipeline chahiye’ -Fans react as Iran’s U-19 Cricket coach wants Indian Cricket Board to train their players in Iran
The Indian Team have fans all over the world and are loved by the Indian diaspora outside of India. India as a country likes to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours and Iran is one among them. The Government of Iran is spending a lot of time and energy in persuading prospective investors on the 4000-seater Cricket Stadium which will be situated at Chabahar. The Chabhahar Free Zone has also allocated 10 hectares of land to set up the cricket stadium.
In an interview, Iran’s Under-19 cricket coach Asghar Ali Raeisi talked about the Iran U-19 side and also expressed hope that Iranian cricketers will end up playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at some point in the future. It looks like the project has gotten off to a start but the Iranian government has not been able to rake in enough funds from foreign sources to kick-start infrastructural development in the stadium.
Iranian players take a lot of inspiration from MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli – Asghar Ali Raeisi
Raisei further said that MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are very well known in Iran. “Iranian cricketers take inspiration from MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and other young Indian cricket players,” Raeisi said in an interview. “Iranian players have the talent to play good cricket internationally. But we fail to train them due to lack of infrastructure. I wanted India to help us to build the stadium so Iranian players can prove their mettle in the world,” he further added,
“We want Indian cricket management to train our players and umpiring in Iran so our players also can play cricket well,” Raeisi stated. “We would also expect Iranian players to be part of IPL matches,” he added. Raeisi said that Iranians were very downcast when India lost the World Test Championship (WTC) finals against Australia which was held at the Oval in England.
Iran is on the hunt for investors to fund its latest project but it has been hamstrung due to the US sanctions. When it comes to Iran’s and India’s relationship across sport the two countries have a very healthy relationship when it comes to Iranian players playing in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Kya Iran hamare saath Football khelega ??
Iran football me top playing nation he agar india ke saath football khele toh india improve kar sakta hein
Hum cricket me bhi help kar sakte hein similarly with training and playing games with state teams— Babu Bhuyan (@bhuyanbipra21) July 16, 2023
*Most celebrated Cricketers across the Globe
— Lalit Jha (@financesperm) July 16, 2023
Ab to cricket diplomacy hoga
— Jitan 🇮🇳 (@Deyjitan) July 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/MrAbhi_shek/status/1680445279009640450?s=20
Isko bol India ke football ko improve karna hoga badle me
— KM_10 (@Nitishk40027508) July 16, 2023
BCCI should definitely build the stadium.
In return,
1. Iran must show tangible reduction and stopping of its role in spreading fake news in India2. Support India’s stance on cross border terror & connectivity projects in the SCO.
— Counter Narrative (@EraOfNewIndia) July 16, 2023
Iran ranks 22 in fifa ranking and one of the best team(football) in Asia ….and now Begging for cricket stadium this make no sense at all ..🤣
— Pratyush Mishra 🇮🇳 (@Pratyush778) July 16, 2023
Iran ke pas Football stadium already hai.. i think they can build cricket stadium also easily
— Nitish 🇮🇳 (@IamNitish98) July 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/Heisenberg_FCG/status/1680458650375315458?s=20
A country who has one of the best football stadiums in Asia, begging for a cricket stadium is the biggest irony. Iran has a top football side and competes with teams like Japan and Qatar in the Asian continent.
— CHARLIE (@CharlieGulshan) July 16, 2023
