Sunil Gavaskar, Jemimah Rodrigues & a Bat that is Melodic: When Cricket Met Chords

Mumbai, 10^th January 2026: In a moment that felt less like a brand collaboration and more like a full-circle cultural callback, Sunil Gavaskar fulfilled a promise he’d made to Jemimah Rodrigues after India’s triumphant ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup win, by joining her for a jam session and gifting her something truly singular: the Bat-ar.

Part bat, part guitar, and very symbolic, the Bat-ar is a one-of-a-kind creation imagined by Nike and handcrafted by artist Nishant Fogaat. Shared across both Gavaskar and Rodrigues’ Instagram handles, the candid exchange quickly struck a chord, not just with cricket fans, but with anyone who understands the power of recognising athletes beyond scorecards and statistics.

The video captures a rare intergenerational moment. Gavaskar, a legend whose legacy shaped Indian cricket, sits beside Jemimah, one of the most vibrant faces of the modern women’s game, as they laugh, play music, and celebrate a promise kept. It’s intimate, unpolished, and deeply human. Less spectacle, more soul.

Watch the video here:

At the heart of it all is Jemimah Rodrigues herself, a cricketer known as much for her infectious energy and musical flair as for her footwork on the pitch. The Bat-ar stands as a metaphor for that duality. Designed to merge her love for cricket and music, it reflects Nike’s intent to celebrate her not just as an elite athlete, but as a creative individual shaped by curiosity, rhythm, and joy.

Crafted by Nishant Fogaat, the Bat-ar blurs the lines between sport, art, and sound. It’s a reminder that today’s athletes are no longer confined to a single identity. They are performers, creators, storytellers, and sometimes, musicians.

What makes this moment resonate is its authenticity. There’s no hard sell, no manufactured drama. Just a legend honouring his word, a young star being seen for who she truly is, and a brand choosing to amplify personality over performance metrics.

In a sporting ecosystem increasingly driven by numbers, algorithms, and virality, this small but powerful exchange feels refreshing. It reminds us that culture is built in these quiet intersections, where cricket meets music, legacy meets youth, and promises are kept not for headlines, but for heart. Because sometimes, the most meaningful wins happen off the pitch, and occasionally, they come with strings attached.