New Delhi, Could 12, 2025 – Amidst an important press briefing on the continued Operation Sindoor, Lieutenant Common Rajiv Ghai, the Director Common of Navy Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Military, took a second to acknowledge the retirement of Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli from Check cricket. Chatting with the media in New Delhi, alongside the three army chiefs, Lt Gen Ghai not solely expressed his appreciation for the effectiveness of India’s air defence programs utilizing a compelling cricket analogy but additionally shared his private admiration for the celebrated cricketer.
A Cricket Interlude in a Navy Briefing
The briefing, held in New Delhi on Monday afternoon alongside the chiefs of the Navy and Air Drive, was centered on offering particulars about Operation Sindoor, India’s response to latest terror assaults. Nonetheless, earlier than delving into the specifics of the operation and the effectiveness of India’s air protection programs, Lt Gen Ghai made a private comment in regards to the cricketing world.
“At this time, maybe we must also speak about cricket, as I observed that Virat Kohli has retired from Check cricket. Like many Indians, he’s my favorite cricketer as nicely,” Lt Gen Ghai stated, his remark including a private contact to the in any other case severe proceedings.
Connecting Cricket to Nationwide Protection
Curiously, Lt Gen Ghai then used a cricket analogy for example the energy and layers of India’s air protection programs, which performed an important position in countering assaults throughout Operation Sindoor. He referred to a well-known Ashes sequence between Australia and England within the Seventies, highlighting the formidable bowling duo of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee.
“Focusing on our airfields and logistics is approach too robust,” he defined. “I consider it was the Seventies. Throughout that point, there was a well-known Ashes sequence between England and Australia. At the moment, Australia’s best quick bowlers, Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, tore into the England batting line-up. Australians, that point, got here up with a saying: ‘Ashes to ashes, mud to mud, if Thommo doesn’t get ya, Lillee should’.”
He then drew a parallel to India’s protection capabilities: “When you see the layers, you’ll perceive what I’m making an attempt to say. Even when you crossed all of the layers, one of many layers of this grid system will hit you.” This analogy successfully conveyed the robustness and a number of layers of India’s air protection in neutralizing threats.
Operation Sindoor: A Response to Terrorism
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian armed forces in response to a lethal terror assault in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April twenty second, which resulted within the lack of 26 lives. The operation concerned precision strikes on 9 terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Whites off, crown intact Virat Kohli bids goodbye to Check cricket, forsaking an unmatched legacy
: https://t.co/VjuXwUrl8P pic.twitter.com/6apbXkubQ0
— ICC (@ICC) Could 12, 2025
Throughout the briefing, officers detailed the success of the operation, highlighting the neutralization of over 100 terrorists and the numerous harm inflicted on terror infrastructure. In addition they addressed Pakistan’s retaliatory makes an attempt, which included drone and missile assaults, all of which had been successfully countered by India’s protection programs.
Key Highlights of the Op Sindoor Briefing:
Retaliation for Pahalgam Assault: Operation Sindoor was a direct response to the fear assault in Pahalgam.
Precision Strikes: Indian forces performed exact airstrikes on 9 recognized terror camps in Pakistan and PoK.
Terrorists Neutralized: Over 100 terrorists, together with key commanders, had been eradicated within the operation.
Countering Retaliation: India successfully intercepted and neutralized a number of drone and missile assaults launched by Pakistan.
Air Protection Prowess: The briefing emphasised the effectiveness of India’s multi-layered air protection programs in thwarting enemy assaults.
Ceasefire Breach: Regardless of a ceasefire settlement, Pakistan continued with drone incursions, which had been additionally repelled.
No Focusing on of Civilians: India maintained that the strikes had been solely focused at terror infrastructure, avoiding civilian and army belongings of Pakistan.
Virat Kohli Point out: Amidst the briefing, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai talked about Virat Kohli’s retirement from Check cricket, acknowledging him as his favorite cricketer and utilizing a cricket analogy to elucidate India’s protection technique.
The sudden point out of Virat Kohli throughout such a essential briefing underscored the cricketer’s vital affect on the nationwide consciousness, transcending even issues of nationwide safety. Lt Gen Ghai’s analogy served as a memorable solution to illustrate the energy and resilience of India’s protection capabilities within the face of exterior threats.
