Dhoti-kurta cricket, commentary in Sanskrit: Unique tournament in MP | Video

Players at the tournament were dressed in dhoti-kurta, with each team wearing kurtas of different colours to clearly identify the teams.

Updated on: Jan 6, 2026, 19:05:05 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A video going viral on social media showed youths playing cricket in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal. The highlight: they are playing while clad in traditional dhoti-kurtas instead of regular sportswear at a unique tournament on Tuesday.

The participants were drawn from various Vedic universities and schools. (PTI video grab)

The video, shared by news agency PTI, showed each team wearing kurtas of different colours. The games are reportedly being held at Ankur Khel Parisar in Bhopal.

Watch the video here :

According to the report, the participants were drawn from “various Vedic universities and schools”.

Even the commentary for the tournament is being done in Sanskrit rather than Hindi or English.

The aim of the ‘dhoti-kurta’ cricket tournament

According to a Free Press Journal report, the cricket tournament is named the Maharshi Maitri Match Cricket Series-6.

The event aims to promote the Sanskrit language and Indian cultural values through sports. This is the sixth year the tournament has been organised, and it has slowly gained popularity among both players and viewers.

The players, representing a total of 27 teams from various parts of Madhya Pradesh, comprise Vedic scholars, Sanskrit students, and ritual priests.

The traditional attire did not seem to hamper the cricketing skills of the players. Instead, skillful play was on display, as evident from the video.

Parshuram Kalyan Board president Pandit Vishnu Rajauria told PTI that the main purpose of the tournament is to create interest in Sanskrit among the younger generation.

He added that sports can be a powerful medium for connecting people with language and tradition.

The final match of the tournament will be played on January 9, and organisers expect a large turnout.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.