Cricket and Football Icons Come Together in Manchester
Manchester: Ahead of the fourth Test match against England starting Wednesday at Old Trafford, members of Team India had a special meet-up with players from the legendary football club Manchester United (MU). The interaction was filled with shared stories, exchanged jerseys, and mutual good wishes.
Manchester United, a top Premier League club, boasts a roster of world-renowned footballers. During this friendly exchange, Indian cricketers and MU players swapped their iconic jerseys — a symbolic gesture of mutual respect. Team India members even indulged in a short football session, while some MU stars tried their hand at cricket.
It’s not unusual to see Indian cricketers warming up with a bit of football during practice sessions. Captain Shubman Gill took a few kicks among the soccer pros, showing his appreciation for the game.
MU’s defender Harry Maguire faced a few fast deliveries from Mohammed Siraj in a light-hearted cricket match, enjoying the experience with some playful banter.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant posed with MU’s famous jersey, while French defender Lény Yoro was seen in an Indian cricket shirt.
Star midfielder Mason Mount chatted informally with Jasprit Bumrah, joined by Maguire during the conversation. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir also had an extended discussion with MU manager Rúben Amorim, hinting at a warm camaraderie between the two coaching staffs.
Other players including Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur were photographed donning the iconic red jersey. Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, and Washington Sundar were spotted interacting with members of MU’s coaching team.
This unique crossover between bat and ball, goal and wicket, showcased the global bond between sporting giants and celebrated the shared spirit of excellence.