BCCI launches toss coin to commemorate Gandhi's birth

Commemorating Mahatama Gandhi's 146th birth anniversary, the BCCI will launch a specially-minted toss coin with the images of the Father of the Nation and Nelson Mandela for the India-South Africa cricket series starting today.

"The toss coin in gold features an impression of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela as 'Heads' and the Freedom Series as 'Tails'," the BCCI said in a statement.

Designed exclusively for the Freedom Series, the 20 grams gold-plated sterling silver coin will be used by India and South Africa for all the formats of the game played with each other in India or South Africa for perpetuity.

The coin has the photographs of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela laser engraved on it and will be launched by the BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur along with the two captains, MS Dhoni and Faf du Plessis, at the start of the first T20I match at Dharamsala tonight.

"This is our small way to pay homage to Gandhi ji as we celebrate his 146th birth anniversary. Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela proved to the world that freedom could be achieved through the path of non-violence - a true symbol of peace, truth and harmony," Thakur said.

"This coin will keep reminding everyone about the teachings of both the great leaders and also the strong bond India and South Africa share historically."