India vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2016: Hardik Patel to break hunger strike if Parthiv plays for MS Dhoni
India vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2016: Hardik Patel to break hunger strike if Parthiv Patel plays ahead of MS Dhoni
Quota-stir leader Hardik Patel, who has been on hunger strike fighting for reservations for Gujarat’s Patels, has apparently settled down for a makeshift arrangement. Hardik has been lodged in jail since September 2015 in two different cases of sedition, has been waging a battle for getting reservations for Patels in government jobs and educational institutes. In his makeshift arrangement, Hardik has agreed to break his hunger strike completely if Parthiv Patel — rushed to Bangladesh as backup in Asia Cup 2016 — plays instead of MS Dhoni in their opening match against the host nation. India will take on Bangladesh in the first match of the Asia Cup 2016 tournament on Wednesday night. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India (IND) vs Bangladesh (BAN), Asia Cup 2016 T20 Match 1, Dhaka
It must be mentioned that this is not the first time Hardik has sought peace via cricket. Earlier, in October 2015, Hardik had agreed to not stop the Indian and South African cricket teams on their way to the stadium in Rajkot on match day, had Parthiv played ahead of Dhoni. Thanks to special security arrangements made by the organisers, nothing awkward happened.
But Hardik has struck again. The warring leader for the Patels and Patidars, who was admitted to a hospital after his condition deteriorated following the hunger strike, has already gone a little soft. With doctors advising him to drink water at least, Hardik has softened down and is ready to end his hunger strike completely with Parthiv finally getting a chance. ALSO READ: India vs Bangladesh Asia Cup 2016, Match 1 at Dhaka, Preview: Wary of Bangladesh, MS Dhoni & co look for winning start
A source close to Hardik said, “Hardik has been a warrior for us, but somewhere I am sure he will feel the need to look after himself. He felt ignored as politicians who go on hunger strike are forced to break it within a day, and here he was, carrying on with his decision while none seemed to be caring.”
He added, “I can tell you another reason. Jats in Haryana have hogged all limelight, and Hardik somehow wanted the focus of the media back on him. I am sure you are not going to get any better occasion than this, India taking on the world-beaters Bangladesh in a cricket match. I think this as an excellent move from Hardik.”
Hardik’s decision has come very late. The Indian cricket team has already reached Bangladesh, and their preparations for Asia Cup 2016 are in full flow. Team India will take on Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 match of the Asia Cup on Wednesday evening.
Please note this is a satirical article — a work of pure fiction
(Jettisoned from Indian cricket stadiums, a die-hard cricket fanatic-turned-journalist Golu Sharma remains determined to keep reporting on cricketing matters that the usual media houses deem unworthy)