The T20 World Cup-winning Indian team celebrated in style in Mumbai on Thursday, July 4. The Indian team led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had a gala time in Mumbai, specifically at the packed Marine Drive and Wankhede Stadium where the fans gathered in numbers to get a glimpse of the stars.
The Indian team took an open-bus parade through the Marine Drive and then celebrated with dance, and music inside the iconic Wankhede where India had won their ODI World Cup title in 2011 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
The likes of Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav let it loose, while senior batter Virat Kohli was seen in his usual energetic aura. The Indian team had returned home early morning fro Barbados and had landed in New Delhi. After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the team flew out to Mumbai where celebrations were planned.
WATER SALUTE IN MUMBAI AIRPORT
Team India landed in Mumbai via the Vistara flight from New Delhi. The flight had a special call sign – UK1845 – which included the jersey numbers of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who retired from T20Is after India’s title win.
The World Champions received a Water Salute in the Mumbai airport, a ceremony which is performed as a symbol of respect and honour for the aircraft and its crew.
HARDIK PANDYA LEADS INDIA OUT OF AIRPORT
Team India asked Hardik Pandya to lead the Indian team out of the airport. With his swanky sunglasses and swagger, Pandya lifted the T20 World Cup trophy in one hand and walked out of the airport amidst massive chants.
MARINE DRIVE COMES TO STANDSTILL
The Marine Drive came to a standstill as fans gathered in numbers for India’s open-bus parade. Mumbai Police were forced to issue a traffic advisory to the citizens ahead of Team India’s celebrations. The police wrote on Twitter that citizens are requested to avoid commuting towards Marine Drive.
KOHLI’S MOST CHERISHED MEMORY
An emotional Virat Kohli spoke about his most cherished memory in his T20I career at the Wankhede Stadium. Virat Kohli shared his heartfelt sentiments and said that he was in tears alongside Rohit Sharma after India’s T20 World Cup win in Barbados.
“Rohit and I, we’ve been trying this for so long. We always wanted to win a World Cup. Bringing the trophy back to Wankhede is a very special feeling. We have been playing for the last 15 years and this is the first time I’ve seen Rohit so emotional – he was crying, I was crying, a hug between both of us – I will never forget that day,” Kohli said.
ROHIT HAS HARDIK IN TEARS
Hardik Pandya was in tears as outgoing captain Rohit Sharma credited Hardik Pandya for bowling a superb last over in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024. Pandya was emotional after listening to Sharma’s speech at the Wankhede Stadium.
Rohit said that Pandya’s ability to remain cool and calm helped India dismiss David Miller, who the side considered as one of the most dangerous players in the world.
“Mumbai never disappoints. We got a solid reception. On behalf of the team, we would like to thank the fans. I am very very happy and relieved,” One of the most applauded moments was when the Indian skipper praised his deputy, Hardik Pandya, for his crucial performance in the final over of the T20 World Cup.
“Hats off to him to bowl that last over. No matter how many runs you need, there’s always so much pressure to bowl that over. Hats off to him,” said the skipper, prompting chants of “Hardik! Hardik!” from the crowd. Pandya acknowledged the applause with a smile and a wave. A visibly moved Hardik stood up and acknowledged the fans, adding to the emotional and celebratory atmosphere at Wankhede.
