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On Monday (May 15) Gujarat Titans (GT) will play their last home match of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Hardik Pandya-led side will be aiming to secure a playoff spot and finish in the top-two, which will give them two chances to reach the final. The match holds significance for the team as they will be wearing a special lavender colored kit instead of their traditional navy blue jersey. The purpose of this change is to spread awareness about cancer.
Lavender is often associated with oesophageal cancer, but in this context it represents all types of cancer. Pandya expressed the team’s sense of responsibility in raising awareness about this devastating disease. The team hopes that by wearing the lavender jersey, they can show their support for cancer patients, survivors and their families. In addition, they aspire to inspire others to take preventive measures and provide support to those engaged in the fight against cancer.
A _______ initiative, a _______ gesture, let’s make it a _______ _______ _#gtvsrh , #awade , #TATAIPL 2023 pic.twitter.com/7FtG7Ffatu— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 15, 2023
This initiative is not unprecedented in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2015 season, Delhi Capitals (then known as Delhi Daredevils) wore lavender jerseys during their match against Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab). The match took place on 1 May, which is celebrated as Cancer Survivors Day. Delhi Capitals collaborated with YouWeCan, an NGO founded by Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh, himself a cancer survivor. Yuvraj, who then played for a Delhi-based franchise, was diagnosed with cancer soon after India’s World Cup triumph in 2011. After battling illness, he returned to cricket in September 2012.
As for the game itself, Gujarat Titans come into this match on the back of an unexpected loss to five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
