India’s loss in the Cricket World Cup final against Australia has taken a political twist after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that India lost the Cricket World Cup final against Australia because the match was on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birthday.
Sarma stated, “We had been winning in all the games and lost the finals. I inquired about why we lost the match, and I found that the World Cup final was played on the birthday of Indira Gandhi. We played the World Cup finals on Indira Gandhi’s birthday, and the country failed.”
Taking a jab at the Gandhi family, Sarma humorously added, “I have a request from BCCI. Please, India should not play on the day which is the birthday of Gandhi’s family members. I have learned this from the World Cup final.”
The political undertones escalated when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s defeat, calling him a ‘panauti’ (bad omen). Gandhi alleged that Modi’s presence at the stadium during the finals caused the loss. The term ‘panauti’ gained traction on the internet following India’s defeat.
MP Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized Gandhi, demanding an apology: “Our Prime Minister met the players and motivated them. Winning or losing is part of the game. Rahul Gandhi needs to apologize.”
The BJP also moved the Election Commission seeking action over the comment made during a poll rally in Rajasthan. After this, the Election Commission on November 21 issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi questioning him about calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “panauti”.
Australia emerged victorious in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, clinching a six-wicket win against India. India had previously secured ten consecutive wins before the 2023 World Cup final loss, adding a layer of intrigue to the political banter surrounding the match.