Dhoti-Kurta, Sanskrit Commentary And A Qualifying Exam: Most Unusual Cricket Tournament In MP

In a unique blend of tradition and sport, players donned dhoti-kurta outfits and played cricket in Bhopal on Monday as part of the Maharishi Maitri Cricket Tournament. Adding to the distinctiveness of the event, the match commentary was delivered entirely in Sanskrit.

Organised by the Parshuram Kalyan Board, the tournament aimed to promote the Sanskrit language and revive cultural awareness among young players.

#WATCH | Abhishek Dubey from the Organising Committee says, “This is the sixth edition of the tournament. We had organised five seasons in the previous years. Teams have come from Ujjain, Indore, Jabalpur, Delhi, Jammu, Guna, Vidisha, Sehore and Bhopal. The main goal of the… https://t.co/3XBxKtjK7i pic.twitter.com/7Tz7B8p3DJ

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January 5, 2026

Abhishek Dubey from the organising committee said, “This is the sixth edition of the tournament. We had organised five seasons in the previous years. Teams have come from Ujjain, Indore, Jabalpur, Delhi, Jammu, Guna, Vidisha, Sehore and Bhopal.”

“The main goal of the tournament is to promote Sanskrit language. When people will have knowledge of Sanskrit, their culture will become alive,” Dubey noted.

He explained that the event is open primarily to students from Gurukuls and Sanskrit schools who have knowledge of the language.

“Once here, they first sit for an exam; those who know Vedas and Upanishads are allowed to participate in the tournament once they pass the exam. Those who do not pass the exam are disqualified,” Dubey said.