As Team India reached the Hotel in Kanpur ahead of the 3rd and the decisive ODI against New Zealand, the age-old tradition of presenting cricketers with flowers was replaced with a new culture of presenting a ‘saffron scarf’ by the hotel authorities. The 3rd ODI of India vs New Zealand 2017 series will be held at the Green Park in Kanpur on Sunday.
The members of both teams were welcomed with a traditional ‘aarti’ and ‘tilak’ by the staffs of the hotel while they were also given a saffron scarf. The managing director of the hotel, Vikas Mehrotra said:
“The plan to welcome the cricketers was inspired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s grand Diwali celebrations at Ayodhya. The teams are coming here in the backdrop of Diwali celebrations. The management wants to give the players a feel of real Indian tradition.”
Along with the welcome of the two teams, the hotel was also lighted with more than 10,000 diyas spread over the porch and across the corners of the hotel. The tradition of cutting cake before a match to wish the members of the team good luck has also been replaced with a different tradition.
According to reports around 11 to 12 school children have been roped in who will be performing Ramleela before the players but whether it will be done ahead of the match or after the match remains to be decided. The students have been practising hard for the last two weeks are very excited to be performing the Ramleela before the cricket teams.
Kiwis won the opening encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai courtesy brilliant knocks by Tom Latham and Ross Taylor. Despite a sensational century by skipper Virat Kohli, India ended on the wrong side, They made a sensational comeback in the 2nd ODI and courtesy a great all-round performance India managed to ease past New Zealand with a comfortable victory by six wickets and with four overs to spare.
