Despite India's sub-par performance in the one-day series against New Zealand, the Men in Blue have managed to win many hearts as they interacted with ‘super fan’ Divyaansh’s special in Auckland on Thursday. Divyaansh is a differently-abled person, who has been a massive sports fan living in New Zealand.
Ahead of the first ODI at Eden Park, players like Rishabh Pant, Umran Malik, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur posed for photos with Divyaansh and his father Virendra Kashyap. The video of this interaction was shared by the BCCI Twitter account where the Indian players were seen encouraging Divyaansh.
Check out the clip here:
Earlier today, veteran cricket journalist Vimal Kumar shared Mr Kashyap’s experience of interacting with the Indian team in an interview shared on his YouTube channel. In this chat, Virendra Kashyap revealed that his son has been a massive sports fan and often cheers for India and New Zealand in various sporting events.
He then talked about how the Indian team encouraged Divyaansh to achieve his dreams and told his son to push for his dreams as his potential isn't limited because he is confined to a wheelchair. Virendra Kashyap also expressed that he hopes to support his son’s love for sports by getting him into wheelchair sports. This will allow Divyaansh to enjoy sports and represent New Zealand on the international stage.
Check the interview here:
The Indian team lost the opening game against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. The Men in Blue posted a competitive 306-run target thanks to crucial knocks by Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill.
But in the second innings, a record partnership between Blackcaps' captain Kane Williamson and Tom Latham, helped the Hosts win the game by seven wickets. Then the second ODI was called off after just 12 overs into the first innings because of heavy rain. Now both teams travel to the Hagley Oval in Christchurch for the third and final ODI.