RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb.19: Jharkhand governor C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday remembered Javed Miandad of Pakistan hitting a six on the last ball of Chetan Sharma to hand Pakistan a thrilling one-wicket win over India in the final of the Austral-Asia Cup in 1986 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and mentioned how Jharkhand star Mahendra Singh Dhoni took its revenge after a long time by hitting six in last ball.
The governor, who assumed charge on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Saturday, was speaking as chief guest during the concluding ceremony of the M P Sports Festival at Khelgaon. His intention in mentioning Dhoni was to underline the importance of the promotion of sports in Jharkhand presenting examples of sportspeople of the state who mattered and matters for the country.
“There is a need to promote sports more and more in Jharkhand so that India continues to brighten its name on the global stage. Many years ago Kapildev used to be captain of the Indian cricket team. In a match under his captaincy Pakistan needed 6 runs to win in one. Chetan Sharma was bowling from India’s side. But Javed Miandad from Pakistan’s side defeated India by hitting a six. All Indians became sad. But after years a young player from Jharkhand, Mahendra Singh Dhoni again repeated that history and took revenge for the old match by winning the match against Pakistan by hitting a six on the last ball, ” the governor said.
“Not only Dhoni, but there are also many like him including archer Dipika Kumari, hockey player Jaipal Singh Munda and Salima Tete who brought laurels for the country, he added.
Over 5000 players from 200 panchayats of 17 blocks of Ranchi along with Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth and deputy mayor Sanjeev Vijayavargiya were present on the occasion.
Governor during his address informed that he had also participated in many sports events and was a table tennis champion of this college. He said unlike the old day, sports help bring wealth and fame and Jharkhand has immense potential in this field.
