New Delhi: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi had an unusual visitor. He met with the legendary West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle during Jamaican PM Andrew Holness’ maiden bilateral visit to India.
Generally, such meetings are only between two heads of state, and the presence of a sportsperson is not seen.
On the political front, the meeting between the Jamaican PM and Prime Minister Modi holds diplomatic significance for the relations between India and Jamaica.
The former West Indies cricketing great shared a video on his social media from his meeting with the PM, captioned “Honour to have met with the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi. Jamaica to India,” and with the hashtag “OneLove”, a phrase often associated with Jamaican culture that promotes unity and respect.
In the video, Gayle greets the PM with “Namaste,” a traditional Indian greeting that signifies respect and honour.
Holness arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a historic four-day visit, marking the first-ever bilateral visit by a Jamaican leader to India. The Jamaican PM’s visit, which comes at the invitation of PM Modi, will continue until October 3.
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Chris Gayle is not just an icon in Jamaica; he is also widely known, respected, and adored here in India for his cricketing prowess.
“It’s great to be here at the same time as him during our working visit to India. I am also pleased to be joined by Jamaican businessmen of Indian heritage,” the Jamaican PM has posted on ‘X’ after reaching India on Monday.
India and Jamaica share a deep bond rooted in strong cultural and historical ties. They have a shared colonial past, with both countries having been under British rule, a commitment to democratic values, and a mutual passion for cricket.
Regarded as one of the most destructive batters, Gayle, often known as ‘Universe Boss, ‘ has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. He has represented the West Indies in 103 Tests, 301 ODIs, and 79 T20Is, amassing an impressive 7214 runs in Tests, 10480 in ODIs, and 1899 runs in T20Is. His career, spanning 17 years, is a testament to his unwavering dedication and skill.
He holds multiple records and is known for hammering the bowlers with his long sixes. Gayle, who has 15 Test tons, is one of the four hitters in the world to score two triple-hundreds in Test matches.
Moreover, in the first game of the 2007 T20 World Cup, Gayle made cricket history by becoming the first player to score a century in T20 internationals. Facing South Africa in Johannesburg, he smashed 117 off just 57 balls.
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–IANS
Credit: VideoGrab
