Rohit Sharma has displayed some environmental messages on his shoes as he stepped out on the field during the 2021 Indian Premier League.
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The Indian Premier League is a tournament that stresses the need for a better environment around us. Royal Challengers Bangalore sport a green jersey to celebrate Earth day. On that day, they also donate a tree sapling for a better environment. However, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma is employing a novel way to spread awareness about the environment. On his social media handles, Rohit has uploaded a photo of his shoe in which there is a message.
On the first day, Rohit wore specially designed shoes that highlighted the endangered species – The Great One Horned Indian Rhinoceros – on them. The art on Rohit’s spikes made a bold statement on the “Save The Rhino” campaign. It also reiterated his Rohit4Rhinos campaign that has been running with World Wildlife Fund since 2018. Apart from rohit, former England player Kevin Pietersen has been a vocal advocate and ambassador for the “Save The Rhino” campaign.
During the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Rohit had a message calling for plastic-free ocean through his customized cricket shoes. On his Instagram handle, he said, “The other cause that’s extremely close to my heart. This one hits hard! This is a hundred percent in our control to reverse. I take my cause with me while I go out and do what I love! I walk out with my cause but it won’t end there, I need you guys to walk with me. Let’s get our oceans healthy again.”
In India, most of the activism and political knowledge of sporting individuals is really not up to the mark. Former India skipper Virat Kohli was criticised by many sections for his views on demonitisation in 2016. When there were student protests in Jamia and the rest of the universities, there was no mention of support for them except by three players in the form of Irfan Pathan and Aakash Chopra.
In India, since Government and sporting federations are intertwined, getting activism on a larger scale is a huge issue. But, through these distinct messages, Rohit is at least trying to make a mark in many ways.
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