Indian Defense Chief Highlights Aerial Defense Success and Cricket Parallels
Defense Strategies and Cricket Analogies
During a recent briefing, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), elaborated on the multi-layered structure of India's defense system, which effectively neutralizes aerial threats from Pakistan. He drew an interesting comparison to a historic cricket match from the 1970s, where renowned Australian bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson dismantled the English batting order, showcasing teamwork and resilience.
Ghai, while discussing the intersection of defense and cricket, expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket. He remarked,
"Targeting our airfields and logistics is extremely challenging... I noticed that Virat Kohli has just retired from Test cricket; he is one of my favorites. In the 1970s, during the Ashes series, two Australian bowlers wreaked havoc on England's batting lineup, leading to the saying - 'Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo doesn't get you, Lillee must.' This analogy reflects the layers of our defense system; even if one layer is breached, another will respond effectively."
#WATCH | Delhi | DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai states, "Targeting our airfields and logistics is extremely challenging... I noticed that Virat Kohli has just retired from Test cricket; he is one of my favorites. In the 1970s, during the Ashes between Australia and England, two… pic.twitter.com/B3egs6IeOA
— News Media (@NewsMedia) May 12, 2025
Read more: Virat Kohli Announces Retirement from Test Cricket
India's Aerial Defense Achievements
In response to the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the elimination of nearly 100 terrorists. Following this operation, the Indian military showcased debris from downed Pakistani aerial assets, including a Chinese-made PL-15 missile and Turkish YIHA and Songar drones. Air Marshal AK Bharti confirmed the operational readiness of all Indian military bases and commended the performance of the Akash air defense system. India's comprehensive air defense framework, which includes the S-400, Akash, and SPYDER systems, successfully thwarted various aerial threats from Pakistan, such as drones and missiles. Bharti attributed this success to India's indigenous capabilities and robust government support, contrasting it with Pakistan's dependence on foreign military technology.
In a notable announcement, Kohli shared his retirement from Test cricket through an extensive post on Instagram. With a batting average of 46.85 and a total of 9,230 runs, Kohli concluded his Test career just shy of the 10,000-run milestone, a target many aspire to achieve. He leaves behind an impressive legacy, having scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in the format.