'Our freedom was hard-earned, our duty to keep it alive': Tendulkar, Gambhir, Pathan wish on Independence Day

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Aug 15, 2025, 12:41 IST

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On India's 79th Independence Day, prominent figures in the sport, like Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir, along with the BCCI and IPL franchises, shared heartfelt greetings on social media. Prime Minister Modi hoisted the tricolour at the Red Fort, while players emphasized the value of freedom and the responsibility to uphold it. The collective messages reflected national pride and unity.

'Our freedom was hard-earned, our duty to keep it alive': Tendulkar, Gambhir, Pathan wish on Independence Day

Irfan Pathan on X (Screengrab)

Several current and former Indian cricketers, along with IPL franchises, took to social media on Friday to extend greetings on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day. The wishes came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolour at the Red Fort in Delhi, with celebrations taking place across the country. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar posted a picture of himself waving the Indian flag proudly as he wished his followers on X. "Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!" wrote the 52-year-old.

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Sachin Tendulkar on X (Screengrab)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir posted a picture of himself celebrating during his playing days, with the tricolour in the background. He wrote, “My country, my identity, my life! Jai Hind!” — a message that resonated with fans across India.

Gautam Gambhir on X (Screengrab)

The BCCI posted on X, “Wishing all Indians a Happy Independence Day Jai Hind.” Former India batter VVS Laxman, recalling the value of freedom, wrote, “On this Independence Day, let us remember the countless sacrifices that won us the gift of freedom. Let us strive each day to build a brighter, stronger India that our future generations will be proud of. Wishing you a Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!”Rohit Sharma posted a picture of himself with the Indian flag on Instagram, which immediately went viral. The post got over 5,00,000 likes within half and hour of it being posted.

Rohit Sharma on Instagram (Screengrab)

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan emphasised the responsibility that comes with freedom. “Wishing every Indian a Happy Independence Day! Our freedom was hard-earned; our duty is to keep it alive - in spirit, in action, and in unity. Jai Hind!” he posted. Hardik Pandya too, took to X, and kept it simple with, “Happy Independence Day, India.” Tilak Varma, a key part of India’s T20I side, shared, “My biggest motivation is playing for my country, it is the greatest honour to represent India on the world stage.

Wishing you all a very happy independence day.”

Hardik Pandya on X (Screengrab)

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort, assisted by Flying Officer Rashika Sharma. Flower petals were showered from two helicopters of the Indian Air Force, with one carrying the national flag and the other the ‘Operation Sindoor’ flag. IPL franchises also joined in the celebrations, posting greetings to fans on social media to mark the occasion.

Mumbai Indians on X (Screengrab)

Chennai Super Kings on X (Screengrab)

Delhi Capitals on X (Screengrab)

Punjab Kings on X (Screengrab)

The collective messages from players, teams, and the BCCI reflected a shared sentiment of pride, unity, and commitment to the nation.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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