On Thursday, the triumphant Indian cricket team returned home to a rapturous welcome after winning the 2024 T20I World Cup. The team was greeted by thousands of ecstatic fans as they paraded through the streets of Mumbai on an open-top bus. Rohit Sharma, the captain who led India to glory, is the only player to have been part of both the 2007 and 2024 T20I World Cup-winning squads.
Rohit Sharma speaks his heart out
In a video released by the BCCI, Rohit reflected on the two historic victories, revealing that the recent triumph holds a more special place for him. “2007 was a different feeling; we started off in the afternoon. This is in the evening. I cannot forget 2007, as it was my first World Cup,” Rohit said.
Here’s the video
When the nation jumped with joy and celebrated with their heroes 🇮🇳❤️#TeamIndia Captain @ImRo45 shares his feeling of being part of the majestic victory parade 🥳#T20WorldCup | #Champions pic.twitter.com/wVmU9nhT9f
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 5, 2024
Indian skipper adding to speech in the video also revealed that the 2024 World Cup was somewhat a little bit closer to his heart, as he was captaining the national side at the world stage, “This is a little more special because I was leading the team. It’s a very proud moment for me.”
The 2007 victory, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, marked India’s first-ever ICC title triumph. However, the 2024 win, led by Rohit, ended an 11-year drought for the national team in global tournaments. Rohit added, that he as a player is just really glad to achieve something for the country, and what it means to all the cricket fanatics of Indian cricket, “This is going to be mad, and it shows how much it means not just to us but also to the entire nation. It means a lot. So, I am very happy that we could achieve something like this for them as well,”
Also READ: Rohit Sharma’s mother hugs and kisses son in heartwarming moment; skips doctor’s appointment to attend Wankhede ceremony
The spectacle at Wankhede Stadium
The victorious squad was felicitated at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where the players were seen singing and dancing in celebration. Meanwhile Rohit, along with veteran stars Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, announced their retirement from T20 internationals following the final.
They will now focus on representing India in ODIs and Test matches. The 2024 T20I World Cup triumph is India’s second overall, making them only the third team after England and the West Indies to achieve this feat. The win also solidified India’s status as an elite force in the shortest format of the game.
Rohit’s leadership and the team’s performance have undoubtedly etched a special place in the hearts of Indian cricket fans, who turned out in huge numbers to welcome their heroes home. The 2024 T20 World Cup victory will be remembered as a watershed moment in Indian cricket history.
Also READ: Jasprit Bumrah receives a warm homage from Wankhede crowd
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