It’s one of the toughest challenges for India’s cricket team as they are engaged in a stiff battle with Australia in the semifinals of the World Cup. Though the tough encounter with Australia as odds-on favourites hasn’t hogged massive attention, small pockets of support built up for the underdogs at home, as JioHotstar compiled a montage featuring ‘all the best’ messages from Bollywood actors.
Most prominently, Alia Bhatt sent across her message, saying, “How far can you go for your passion? Our women’s team will prove it.” Rashmika Mandhana declared, “Women in blue, we believe in you. There is so much to look forward to. All the best. Make us proud.”
Other Gen Z actors included Kartik Aryan and Siddharth Malhotra as well as Aditya Roy Kapoor. Kartik Aryan while wishing team luck, says, “All the best. Have been following your matches from preparation. I think our team is strong.”
Kaala chashma dancer-actor alongside Katrina Kaif, Sidharth Malhotra got to the meat of the matter on equality. “Sport is sport. Men or women, we love to cheer for them. Rooting for all the women.We feel happy to see India win,” he simply said.
The video was headlined by Akshay Kumar reciting, “Asli fan wohi har Khiladi ke saath khada ho. Chaahe woh men ho ya women.”
All the top franchises – Bangalore, Delhi sent in their hopes and wishes, with RCB posting, “A massive occasion and we’re backing the Women in Blue to put on a show.”
Tezaab and Mr India star Anil Kapoor said, “World will look up to India and how we have empowered women. So it’s great. Looking forward to this match.”
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Superhit Kantara actor Rishabh Shetty said, “Women’s team ko all the best. Achha khelo, Jeet ke aao.”
Aditya Roy Kapoor preached the ‘have fun’ mantra though it’s tough when Phoebe Litchfield is going bonkers. ‘Have fun, enjoy yourselves. And if you do that everything follows from there. Bring it home,’ he said.
Ammy Virk who played Balwinder Singh Sandhu in 83, said, “Meri taraf se India ko best wishes. Jeet ke aana, bohot bohot pyaar. Zindabaad.”
Meanwhile India’s largest organised fan forum Bharat Army announced it will land up at DY Patil to lend decibel to cheering.
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India’s original women’s cricket fan army is Bucket hat cult. But Bharat Army too will join in.
Rakesh Patel, Founder of Bharat Army said in a press release, “The Bharat Army has always stood firmly behind Indian cricket across formats, and we are proud to extend the same passionate support to our women’s team as they chase glory in the ODI World Cup. This squad represents the spirit of modern India, which is fearless, resilient and driven by excellence, and we want to ensure they feel the energy of millions of fans with them on this journey.”
“Our focus is to amplify the atmosphere both in the stadium and online, rallying fans to show up, cheer loudly and celebrate every moment of their success. The women’s game deserves the same spotlight and fandom, and our commitment is to contribute to a culture where their achievements are recognised, admired and remembered just as strongly.”
“As Team India readies itself for the big semi-final today, we are going to turn up in numbers again to cheer for our Women in Blue”
