‘Toh yahan hai asli setting’- Fans react as Hardik Pandya is spotted with Amit Shah at the inauguration of Gandhinagar Lok Sabha Premier League

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Union Home Minister Amit Shah teamed up yesterday for the inauguration of the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha Premier League Cricket tournament. This initiative brings together sports and politics, aiming to promote physical fitness and community engagement within the Gandhinagar constituency.

Currently recovering from an injury, Pandya lent his star power to the event, unveiling the trophy alongside Shah. The tournament boasts over 1,000 teams and 15,000 players, reflecting the enthusiasm for cricket in the region. This event highlights the growing recognition of sports as a powerful tool for social good. Cricket, particularly, enjoys immense popularity in India, making it an effective platform to connect with and engage the community. The participation of high-profile figures like Pandya and Shah further amplifies the tournament’s reach and impact.

Post the inauguration, Shah took to social media to declare the tournament open. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, ‘Parliamentarian Sports Competition’ is being organized across the country and under this, Gandhinagar Lok Sabha Premier League has started. I am confident that this cricket tournament, played between the 7 constituencies of Gandhinagar Lok Sabha, will prove useful in promoting sports culture and a healthy lifestyle in the area,” he wrote.

Personal motives of Shah and Pandya?

While the focus remains on promoting sports and fitness, the event’s political undertones cannot be ignored. Shah, the sitting Member of Parliament for Gandhinagar, might leverage this initiative to strengthen his connection with the local population, especially with the General Elections coming soon. Similarly, Pandya’s presence could be seen as a strategic move to connect with his home state Gujarat.

Regardless of the underlying motivations, the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha Premier League Cricket has the potential to leave a positive mark on the community. Whether it sparks future cricketing talents, fosters healthier lifestyles, or simply brings people together through their shared love for the sport, this initiative deserves attention and praise.

Here, we look at how ‘X-verse’ reacted to this development:

He is discussing about his captaincy career and Mota bhai give him believe he will lead India in T20 world cup

— Mirthful Moments (@moment_mirthful) February 12, 2024

https://twitter.com/SachabhartiyaRW/status/1757072322916155554

https://twitter.com/nroy11/status/1757073168638808561

Itna karne ke baad bhi captainship nhn milrahi

— ICT Fan (@Delphy06) February 12, 2024

To yaha hai asli setting…

— Hriday Singh (@hridaysingh16) February 12, 2024

Lotus cup

— Abhinav singh (@Abhinav_tmk) February 12, 2024

What a moment

— Cricket Wala (@asghar_muh88722) February 12, 2024

Gokuldham Premiure league nhi hai

— Ashutosh Das (@Ashutosh_Das7) February 12, 2024