BCCI Leader Rajeev Shukla Engages in High-Level Cricket Diplomacy with US Ambassador
In a significant development that blends sports with international relations, BCCI Vice President and prominent politician Rajeev Shukla expressed his delight after meeting US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. The meeting, which took place in Mumbai, focused on strengthening bilateral ties and promoting the growth of cricket in the United States.
Shukla Highlights Ambassador's Keen Interest in Indo-US Relations
Taking to the social media platform X, Shukla shared his positive impressions from the encounter. "It was a pleasure meeting US Ambassador Sergio Gor. He is taking a keen interest in fostering Indo–US relations and in developing cricket in the USA," Shukla wrote in his post. He further elaborated on the discussions by sharing images from his interactions with the US Ambassador, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, and other key figures.
In a subsequent post on X, Shukla provided more details, stating, "Had a fruitful conversation with American ambassador, ICC chairman, James Murdoch, Uday Shankar, Rohit Sharma, BCCI office bearers in Mumbai." This gathering underscores the collaborative efforts between cricket administrators and diplomatic representatives to elevate the sport's profile globally.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor's Mumbai Visit and Cricket Enthusiasm
Ambassador Sergio Gor's visit to Mumbai was marked by his attendance at the India vs USA ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, February 7. Following the thrilling encounter, Gor took to X to express his gratitude, saying, "Thank you @ICC and @JayShah for an incredible evening of Cricket at the #T20WorldCup! I predict Cricket has a very bright future ahead in the United States, including at the upcoming Olympics."
Gor's optimism about cricket's prospects in the US is particularly noteworthy as the sport is set to feature in the 2028 Olympics. Describing his meeting with ICC Chairman Jay Shah, Gor emphasized, "We discussed the exponential growth of cricket in the United States with our world-class infrastructure, star talent, and incredible fans." This dialogue highlights the strategic discussions aimed at leveraging cricket to enhance cultural and diplomatic exchanges between the two nations.
Additionally, during his visit to the Wankhede Stadium, Ambassador Gor also met with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation founder-chairperson Nita Ambani, further broadening the scope of his engagements with influential Indian personalities.
India Secures Victory in T20 World Cup Match Against USA
The diplomatic meetings were set against the backdrop of an exciting cricket match where India marked its first victory of the tournament by defeating the USA team by 29 runs. After being asked to bat first, the Indian team posted a competitive total of 161/9 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to a stellar performance from Suryakumar Yadav, who remained not out with 84 off 49 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes.
Other notable contributions came from wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, who scored 20 off 16 balls, and Tilak Varma, who added 25 off 16 balls. For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/29) and Harmeet Singh (2/26) were the standout bowlers.
In response, the USA team was limited to 132/8 in their 20 overs. Key performances for the USA included Milind Kumar (34 off 34 balls), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37 off 31 balls), and Shubham Ranjane (37 off 22 balls). The Indian bowling attack was led by Mohammed Siraj (3/29), Axar Patel (2/24), and Arshdeep Singh (2/18), who effectively restricted the American batsmen.
This match not only provided thrilling cricket action but also served as a platform for the diplomatic discussions that followed, emphasizing the growing role of sports in international relations.
