A heartwarming video of an Indian Army officer from the 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) playing cricket with locals in South Kashmir’s Shopian district has gone viral, drawing praise and admiration from social media users across the country.
The clip shows the officer, wearing a scarf distinctive to the Rajput Regiment, confidently wielding the bat as he faces a fiery delivery from a local youngster. In one frame, he smashes the ball out of the ground, leaving the crowd cheering.
The 44 Rashtriya Rifles, a counter-insurgency unit of the Indian Army, is deployed in the region and has often been seen engaging with civilians to strengthen community ties.
Social Media Reactions
The video sparked a wave of positive reactions online. One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Indian Army in Shopian, Kashmir, playing cricket with the locals! The bonhomie between the Awaam (public) and the Jawan (Army) is strengthening in Kashmir. These scenes were once unimaginable.”
Another user praised the regiment, saying, “44 Rashtriya Rifles Rajput Regiment. Next level aura they have. I literally adore their scarves.”
Others suggested that more such events should be organised to engage youth, with one netizen commenting, “We should start organising cricket matches between security forces, the media, and corporate houses.”
A Tradition of Sports Diplomacy
This is not the first time the Indian Army has used sports to connect with Kashmir’s youth. Just last month, the Army inaugurated the 11th edition of the Chinar Premier League at the Bipin Rawat Stadium in Baramulla. The tournament, featuring 64 teams from across the Valley, was launched to provide opportunities for young talent to showcase their skills and potentially move into professional cricket.
Such initiatives, blending sports with community engagement, are being hailed as vital steps in fostering peace, trust, and aspirations among the Valley’s youth.
