In an unexpected turn of events, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) found itself at the center of a social media buzz when it lost its coveted blue verification tick on X (formerly known as Twitter). This incident occurred moments before the commencement of the fifth T20i match against the West Indies in Lauderhill, Florida, USA, leaving cricket enthusiasts and fans in a state of confusion and curiosity.
The source of this perplexing occurrence was soon revealed as a response by the BCCI to a unique and patriotic appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. As the 77th Independence Day of India approached on August 15, Prime Minister Modi urged fellow citizens to embrace the #HarGharTiranga movement.
“In the spirit of the #HarGharTiranga movement, let us change the DP of our social media accounts and extend support to this unique effort which will deepen the bond between our beloved country and us,” PM Modi posted on his handle on X.
Prime Minister Modi led by example, updating his profile picture to showcase the Indian flag proudly. The BCCI, in its allegiance to this call for unity and patriotism, followed suit. However, changing profile pictures on X came with an unexpected consequence of losing the revered blue verification tick.
According to the revised guidelines set by X, verified users risk losing their blue ticks each time they change their profile picture. This change is temporary and lasts approximately three to four days, allowing the platform to review the account before reinstating the verification tick. Interestingly, the Prime Minister’s gray verification tick, reserved for government and multilateral organizations or officials, remained intact despite his profile picture update.
In the spirit of the #HarGharTiranga movement, let us change the DP of our social media accounts and extend support to this unique effort which will deepen the bond between our beloved country and us.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 13, 2023
The BCCI, an integral part of India’s sports culture and identity, is expected to reclaim its blue verification tick before the commencement of the Asia Cup. The Men in Blue, the Indian cricket team, have their sights set on a historic series victory against the West Indies as they prepare for the final T20i match in the five-match series.
Simultaneously, India is gearing up for a three-match T20 series against Ireland with the return of the formidable fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah’s comeback after an injury is eagerly awaited, and he is likely to lead the team as captain in the absence of regular leaders such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya, who are set to be rested.
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As the blue tick saga unveils itself as an outcome of an act of patriotism, it serves as a reminder that even in the digital realm, the spirit of national pride and unity can drive unexpected narratives. The BCCI’s temporary loss of its blue tick may be a small glitch in the grand scheme of cricket and social media, but it stands as a testament to the power of symbols, unity, and the unique intersections between sports and patriotism.
