The T20 World Cup 2024 was a heart-pounding final that had fans on the edge of their seats. India clinched their first T20 World Cup title in 13 years, defeating South Africa in a dramatic encounter where we saw India making a remarkable comeback when chips were down.
Fast forward five days later, the celebration was still in full swing in Mumbai. A victory parade was organised to go from marine drive to Wankhede stadium. Affection was expression of the evening as thousands of fans gathered to welcome their heroes back home.
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Virat Kohli, the stalwart of Indian cricket, vividly recalled the nerve-wracking moments of the final at the team’s felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium. Reflecting on the turning point, Kohli admitted, “Like everyone in the stadium, we also felt at one point if it is going to slip away again, but what happened in those last five overs was truly, truly special.”
The man of the moment, according to Kohli, was none other than Jasprit Bumrah. “You know what I’d like everyone to do is applaud a guy who brought us back into games again and again and again in this tournament. What he did in those last five overs, bowling two out of the last five overs, it was phenomenal. A huge round of applause for Jasprit Bumrah, please.”
The match seemed to be slipping out of India’s grasp when South Africa needed just 30 runs off 30 balls, having hammered 38 off the previous two overs. However, Bumrah’s exceptional bowling in the 16th and 18th overs, where he conceded only six runs and took the crucial wicket of Marco Jansen, turned the game on its head and secured a memorable victory for India.
The celebrations in Mumbai were nothing short of spectacular. Thousands lined Marine Drive, and the Wankhede Stadium was filled to capacity, with fans braving the rain to catch a glimpse of their heroes. “What we saw on the streets tonight is something I’m never going to forget in my life,” Kohli said.
The journey back to India had its challenges, including a hurricane that delayed their return from Barbados. “As soon as we won the World Cup, we wanted to get out of Barbados, get back to India and celebrate with everyone. We got stuck in the hurricane, so it was an anti-climactic feeling. But since we’ve been back, it’s been phenomenal,” Kohli shared.
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One of the most poignant moments was captured on social media, showing Kohli and Rohit Sharma in an emotional embrace after the victory. “I don’t know about breaking the internet, but for the first time in 15 years of playing together, I saw Rohit show so much emotion on the field,” Kohli said. “When I was walking up the steps, I was crying, he was crying and we hugged. For me, that is going to be a very special memory from that day.”
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Rohit Sharma, who had been shouldering the weight of expectations for years, expressed his relief and joy. “Bringing the World Cup to this country means the world to us. This is for the people who support and watch the game, and, along with all of us, for the last 11 years, they’re the ones who’ve been wanting this trophy to come back. Finally, it’s here, and I’m very happy and relieved,” he said.
