Tirunelveli Chef Makes Portrait Of Indian Cricketers On Watermelon To Cheer Them Up

The 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia was played on Sunday in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest stadium located in the western state of Gujarat. With a staggering attendance of more than 90,000 fans, the match was a highly anticipated event. Meanwhile, in a private restaurant in the Vanarapettai locality in Tirunelveli City, Tamil Nadu, chef Selvakumar showcased his unique tribute to the Indian cricket team by carving portraits of the players in watermelon, attracting widespread attention.

Chef Selvakumar shared his motivation during a recent media interaction, expressing his belief that after Australia’s victory in 2003, the two teams were meeting again in the final after 20 years. He confidently predicted that India would emerge victorious, and to boost the team’s spirits, he carved portraits of each player in watermelon. The intricate carvings included representations of Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Vice Captain Hardik Pandya, and Captain Rohit Sharma.

However, despite the hopes and support, India faced a heart-wrenching defeat against Australia in the thrilling conclusion of the 2023 World Cup. The visitors took charge of the game early on, dashing the aspirations of a nation that eagerly anticipated a momentous occasion akin to the historic victory led by MS Dhoni in 2011.

In the match, Australia secured their sixth World Cup triumph, with Travis Head’s exceptional 137 from 120 balls setting the tone for the pivotal game. Despite a shaky start, Head and Marnus Labuschagne forged a formidable 192-run partnership. Head’s sublime century and Labuschagne’s gritty fifty paved the way for Glenn Maxwell to deliver the finishing blow, leaving Indian cricket enthusiasts in a state of desolation.