Fact Check: Viral Image Claiming to Show Swami Vivekananda Bowling in 1884 at Eden Gardens Is Fake; Image Actually of English Cricketer
Swami Vivekananda, a renowned Indian spiritual leader, a great modern thinker, and a social reformer, introduced Vedanta
Claim :
Viral image shows Swami Vivekananda bowling in a cricket match in 1884 at Eden GardensFact :
The image is edited. The original image shows Yorkshire cricketer Hedley Verity from 1940
Swami Vivekananda, a renowned Indian spiritual leader, a great modern thinker, and a social reformer, introduced Vedanta, yoga, and Indian philosophy to the West. Swami Vivekananda's inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth century. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture, as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colourful personality, and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him.
He played cricket for the Town Club in Kolkata and even took seven wickets in an innings against the British-dominated Calcutta Cricket Club at Eden Gardens. This feat, occurring in the mid-1880s, was seen as a symbol of Indian determination to compete with the British in sports.
A picture showing Swami Vivekananda bowling in a cricket match is in circulation on social media with the claim that it was clicked when he was bowling for the Calcutta Town Club in 1884 at Eden Gardens.
We found the image being sent on whatsapp for verification to Telugupost.
We also found that the image has been in circulation on various platforms with the same caption.
Fact Check:
The claim is false. The image seen is an edited one. The original image shows Hedley Verity, an English cricketer. When we used the image and performed a Google reverse image search, we found that the original image shows Hedley Verity, an English cricketer. The original image was shared on Getty Images and uploaded on March 4, 2005. The image was created on January 1, 1940. The title of the image is ‘Yorkshire cricketer Hedley Verity (1905–1943) in action, circa 1940. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)’
The same image was also shared on the website named ESPNcricinfo, with the caption ‘Hedley Verity tosses the ball, 1940’. Here is the comparison of the viral image with the image found on the stock image website.
When we searched whether Swami Vivekananda played cricket, we found a few news reports stating that he indeed played cricket for Town Club. He took 7 wickets in the match.
Therefore, the viral image does not show Swami Vivekananda bowling in a cricket game. The original image shows English cricketer Hedley Verity bowling in a match. The original image has been morphed to mislead people. The claim is false.
