Embassy of India, Thimphu Press Release: India At 75 Cricket Cup As part of the ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in Bhutan, the Embassy of India, Thimphu has this year instituted an annual hutan-India "riendship Cricket #eries to foster people-to-people ties bet een the t o friendly countries! "n #$ August %$%&, the 'rst edition of the series as held at the India (ouse Estate ground! Team Ambassador$s %I comprising players from the Embassy of India and Bhutan )omen*s +ational Team played a friendly T%$ cricket match against Team President$s %I comprising players from Bhutan*s Men*s +ational Team, )omen*s +ational Team and officials from the Bhutan Cricket -ouncil Board! The Chief .uest for the event as &yonpo Tandi 'or(i, "orei)n *inister of hutan. The ,uest of -onour .as the Chief /perations /0cer, Lt+ ,eneral atoo Tshering+ The match also as attended by members of the diplomatic community, press corps and prominent Bhutanese from various alks of life! In a first, the friendly match as telecast live by the Bhutan Broadcasting /ervice 0BBS), the national T2 and radio broadcaster of the 3oyal 4ingdom, on its channel BBS %! The match as also livestreamed on the BBS 5ouTube and 6acebook pages to enable audiences from India to itness the match virtually! The inning team took home the India at 75 Cricket Cup and the top players such as the 7layer of the Match, Best Batsman and Best Bo ler on cash prizes! Bhutan has made giant strides in its 8ourney as a cricketing nation! Bhutan played its 'rst international game in 4athmandu in a tri-series against Maldives and +epal in %$$#! In %$$9, Bhutan on its 'rst international match by beating Iran in the Asian Cricket -ouncil 0A--1 Trophy! Bhutan*s Men*s +ational Team on their 'rst ma8or title in the %$&: A-- T%$ Tournament in Thailand! In %$$:, the )omen*s Team played its 'rst international tournament in Thailand! In %$&$, the )omen*s U-&< team ere the 'nalists in the A-- U-&< championship held in /ingapore! It is estimated that more than 9=,$$$ people play cricket across &% districts in Bhutan! Cricket is the fastest gro ing sport in Bhutan! India and Bhutan share an e>cellent bilateral relationship grounded in mutual trust and a?ection! "n % August %$%&, the Indian Embassy in Thimphu had o?ered its ground to Bhutan*s )omen*s Cricket Team for their training sessions as a special gesture of friendship! Speaking on this occasion, Ambassador 3uchira 4ambo8 said, @)e are indeed delighted to eave in the cricket story as part of the IndiaAB= narrative, through a celebration of sporting links, in this case cricket, a passion in India, and an almost equal passion in Bhutan!D .