Suryakumar Urges Cricketers To Promote Other Indian Sports

NEW DELHI- India T20I star Suryakumar Yadav has urged cricketers to use their popularity and influence to support and promote athletes from other sporting disciplines, stressing that sporting success ultimately serves the same national cause.

On National Sports Day, Suryakumar said the occasion is a reminder of the values that sport teaches and the responsibility that comes with representing India.

“I feel National Sports Day is all about what sport teaches you. From a cricketing point of view, wearing that Indian jersey means a lot. We are not just representing 11 players or the 15 in the squad; we represent around 1.4 billion dreams as well,” Suryakumar said.

Suryakumar also acknowledged cricket’s overwhelming popularity in India but said its dominance comes with a responsibility to shine a spotlight on athletes from other sports.

“Absolutely. I say this with a lot of gratitude that cricket definitely dominates the sporting conversation in India. But at the same time, cricket has given us everything because India has given cricket so much love,” he said.

Pointing to the growing achievements of Indian athletes across disciplines, Suryakumar said even a small gesture from a high-profile cricketer can help draw attention to other sports.

“Today, when I see athletes from different sports and disciplines making India proud just as cricketers do, I feel we definitely have a responsibility. Whether it is posting about another sport on social media or simply putting up an Instagram story, it can bring a lot of eyeballs to another sport,” he said.

The 35-year-old urged his fellow cricketers to actively support athletes from other disciplines and use their large following to give them greater visibility.

“We should definitely do it because, at the end of the day, we are all Team India first,” Suryakumar said. (IANS)