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India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup has indeed captivated the entire nation! Nearly a week since the team won over South Africa in Barbados, the euphoria remains unabated. The players received a hero’s welcome when they arrived in Delhi with the T20 World Cup on Thursday morning. The celebrations were grand and meticulously planned – starting from the Delhi airport reception, meeting PM Modi over brunch to a parade through the streets and culminating in a grand event at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The scenes were reminiscent of the celebrations following India’s first T20 win in 2007, with open double-decker buses and enthusiastic crowds lining the Mumbai streets. Fans at the Delhi airport, and those along the route to a private five-star hotel, got a glimpse of their stars as they stationed in the National Capital till the afternoon.
The players even donned new jerseys with bold “INDIA, CHAMPIONS” letters.
The open double-decker bus ride in Mumbai featured a massive poster of BCCI secretary Jay Shah handing over the trophy to captain Rohit Sharma, with an ICC official by his side. While the parade could have taken place in Delhi, Mumbai was the chosen venue, given it’s the cricketing headquarters and home to key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The victory chariot, with a delayed start, featured champion cricketers along with board officials like Shah, Rajeev Shukla (BCCI vice-president), and a few others, creating a joyous atmosphere. The BCCI’s largesse of Rs 125 crore to the winning team was well within the big scheme of things.
The BCCI spared no expenses, chartering a flight from the Caribbean to Delhi, and the effort was well worth it. Outgoing coach Rahul Dravid also shared in the excitement, encouraged by Shah to wave to the crowd. An over-enthusiastic Shukla moved aside to let others take the best spots on the bus, capturing group photos and selfies with the flag-wrapped Kuldeep Yadav and other players.
The double-decker bus crawled through Mumbai’s Marine Drive due to the massive crowds. The fans’ passion was evident as they cheered for Hardik Pandya, whom they had booed months earlier. The celebration was bigger than any major gathering, reaffirming cricket’s status as a religion in India. This victory moment, long-awaited by fans, will define the future of Indian cricket. The gathering underscored how deeply cricket is embedded in India’s cultural fabric, serving as a moment of national pride and unity.
The celebrations in Mumbai and Delhi could have been mirrored in any other city, capturing the dreams of millions. Inside Wankhede Stadium, the atmosphere was akin to the 2011 World Cup final, with a full house eager to glimpse their favorite stars. To add to the charm of the occasion, the national song ‘Vande Matram’ was sung and the team took a victory lap at the Wankhede. This unforgettable moment, akin to reliving Barbados, highlighted the continuity of India’s cricketing excellence from 2011 to 2024, with the team remaining champions for years to come. Now it’s over to Ambani’s big fat wedding!
