India and England cricket teams wore green armbands during their third and final ODI match at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday. This gesture supported the BCCI's "Donate Organs, Save Lives" campaign.
The BCCI issued a statement confirming that both teams participated in this initiative, which is led by ICC Chairman and former BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
The campaign was officially launched by Shah earlier this week. He had announced the initiative on social media platform X on Monday.
"On the occasion of the 3rd ODI between India and England in Ahmedabad on February 12th, we are proud to launch an awareness initiative - Donate Organs, Save Lives. Sport has the power to inspire, unite, and create lasting impact beyond the field. Through this initiative, we urge everyone to take a step towards giving the greatest gift of all - the gift of life. One pledge, one decision, can save multiple lives. Let's come together and make a difference!"
Several prominent Indian cricketers supported this initiative, including Virat Kohli and vice-captain Shubman Gill.
"Score the ultimate century. Your organs can help others live beyond your lifetime. Register as a donor and make every life count," Kohli stated in a BCCI-shared video.
"Be the captain of life. Just like a captain leads the team to victory, you can lead someone to life by pledging to donate your organs," Gill expressed.
Indian batters Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul also joined the campaign with their messages.
"One donor can save up to eight lives. Pledge today and hit a six for humanity," Iyer remarked.
"Play the ultimate winning shot. Your decision to donate your organs can be the match winning moment in someone's life. Be a hero off the field too," Rahul added.
We are gonna bowl first today. Little bit maybe, it may spin a bit later. We have batted first in the first two games so it will be a different experience today ahead of the Champions Trophy. It's a decent wicket, we played New Zealand in the World Cup a few years ago, it was a black soil pitch and it played better in the second half. We have one change - Tom Banton comes into the side.
I wanted to bat first and put runs on the board because we bowled first in the last two games. It was important for us to get a win in the last game. The fielders potrayed themselves well in the last two games, a lot of young blood. We want to continue to do well in the field. They are pretty new in their careers so we want to keep the pressure away from them. let them do their own and they have got a lot of potential. We have made some changes - Jadeja and Shami have been rested, unfortunately Varun has a sore calf. So, Washi, Kuldeep and Arshdeep come into the side.
This one is right in the centre, 66m to the left and right and 74m straight down the ground. This is the same pitch used for the World Cup final, black soil pitch. It played slower in the first half and better for batting in the second half. The hessian has just come off so it's a bit damp but there is still time left before play starts it should dry out. There are some cracks that could keep the bowlers interested. Looks like a bowl first wicket. One of those pitch where if a batter gets in he can score but it might not be easy for the new comer. Dew is a concern, there was a lot of dew last night