Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @NarendraModi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not claim to be a cricket expert, but he certainly doesn’t shy away from offering his thoughts on the India-Pakistan rivalry. In a candid conversation with renowned American podcaster Lex Fridman on Sunday, Modi shared his perspective on the enduring rivalry between the two nations. “I am not an expert, I do not know the technique of this game, only experts can tell you that, but just a few days ago, India and Pakistan played a match. The result reveals which is the better team. That’s how we know,” Modi remarked. His comment wasn’t off the mark, as India had recently triumphed at the Champions Trophy, defeating Pakistan in a dominant, undefeated run.
While discussing cricket, Modi also emphasized the broader significance of sports as a unifying force that transcends borders. “Sports have the power to energize the entire world. The spirit of sports brings people together across different nations. That’s why I would never want to see sports being discredited. They are not just games; they connect people on a deeper level,” he said. For Modi, sports are more than just competition—they serve as a vital link between people from different parts of the world.
The conversation then shifted from cricket to football, where Modi shared a fascinating story about India’s unexpected passion for the sport, particularly in a small tribal region. He spoke of his visit to Shahdol, a district with a predominantly tribal population, where he encountered 80 to 100 young boys and even older youths dressed in sports jerseys. “I asked them, ‘Where are you all from?’ and they replied, ‘We’re from Mini Brazil,’” Modi recalled, highlighting the region’s surprising connection to football.
Curious about their claim, Modi dug deeper and learned that football had been deeply ingrained in their culture for generations. “In our village, football has been played for four generations. Nearly 80 national-level players have come from here. Our entire village is dedicated to football,” the locals shared with him. The enthusiasm for football is so strong that during their annual match, nearly 25,000 spectators from surrounding villages gather to watch.
The discussion later turned to the world of football, where Modi was asked to name the greatest footballer of all time. Reflecting on the sport’s icons, he acknowledged the influence of legends across different generations. “In the 1980s, one name always resonated, and that was Maradona. For that generation, he was a true hero. If you ask today’s generation, they’ll mention Lionel Messi,” Modi said, recognizing the global impact of these two footballing giants.
Through these stories, Modi highlighted not only his thoughts on cricket but also the broader role that sports play in uniting people and shaping cultures, making it clear that for him, sports are about much more than just the game itself.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
