In addition, the dairy cooperative, Amul, serves as the official sponsor of the Afghanistan cricket team, further cementing Gujarat‘s connection to their inspiring story.
Ajay Jadeja, a name synonymous with 90s cricket, is known for his dynamic fielding, fearless batting, and ever-smiling demeanour on the cricket field. The 52-year-old was appointed as the mentor of the Afghanistan cricket team just before the World Cup in October.
Born into the erstwhile royal family of Nawanagar, he boasts a rich cricketing heritage. Two prestigious first-class trophies, the Ranji Trophy and the Duleep Trophy, are named after his relatives – Jam Ranjitsinhji and Duleepsinji.
Jadeja’s cricketing journey includes 15 test matches for India from 1992 to 2000, scoring 576 runs at an average of 26.18, with four half-centuries and a highest score of 96. He represented India in 196 ODIs, accumulating 5359 runs at an impressive average of 37.47, along with six centuries and 30 fifties. Jadeja also captained the team occasionally.
Despite facing a five-year ban following a match-fixing scandal in 2000, overturned by the Delhi High Court in 2003, Jadeja’s legacy in Indian cricket remains remarkable.
Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to pull off its third victory in World Cup 2023
Afghan team make their mark as giant killers in WC
On the other hand, Milap Mewada, a native of Unjha in Mehsana, took on the role of batting coach for the Afghan cricket team in August 2023. Mewada, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has a 37-year history of playing domestic cricket and List A cricket matches. He has also held positions as the batting coach for domestic teams like Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Chhattisgarh, and Vadodara.
Milap Mewada’s expertise is believed to have honed the Afghanistan players’ technique, tactics and mental resilience, enabling them to achieve formidable targets comfortably.
One key element that has set Afghanistan apart is its ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. “The Afghan team displayed unwavering composure, staying true to their natural playing style even in tense moments, propelling them to fifth place in the tournament. This remarkable transformation is a testament to the invaluable contributions of their mentors and coaches,” said a cricket expert. Meanwhile, India’s dairy giant, Amul, has been nurturing a bond with the people of Afghanistan for over half a century. The association dates back to 1969 when Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’, visited the dairy in Milk City, Anand, to explore the revolutionary potential of the White Revolution.
In 2019, Amul became the official sponsor of the Afghanistan cricket team after it secured its position as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Fast forward to the current World Cup, Amul again became the team’s principal sponsor. Jayen Mehta, the managing director of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), said, “We are proud to build our association with the Afghanistan men’s cricket team.” The Afghan cricket team has not only made their mark as giant killers but has also captured the hearts of cricket enthusiasts.
(With inputs from Prashant Rupera)