The Wankhede Stadium was a cauldron of noise and excitement as cricket enthusiasts from all over gathered to revel in Team India's historic victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. As promised, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awarded the Indian team a staggering prize of Rs 125 crore during the grand event at Wankhede Stadium. This celebratory gathering saw notable players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid, and Jasprit Bumrah taking the stage to express their heartfelt emotions to an exuberant audience.
After the formal ceremony, the players took time to interact with the fans, handing out signed cricket balls and posing for countless selfies, much to the delight of the attendees. The festivities had kicked off earlier with a grand T20 World Cup victory parade that began at Marine Drive and culminated at Wankhede Stadium, where a massive crowd of fans cheered tirelessly for the triumphant team. The sheer number of fans created a challenging yet electrifying atmosphere as Team India's bus made its way through the streets, adding to the emotional intensity of the celebration.
In the midst of the jubilation, the Indian skipper took a moment to commend his deputy, Hardik Pandya, for his crucial performance in the final over of the T20 World Cup. "Mumbai never disappoints. We received an incredible reception. On behalf of the team, I want to thank the fans. I am extremely happy and relieved," he said. His praise for Pandya, who delivered a stellar last over, resonated deeply with the crowd, leading to chants of "Hardik! Hardik!" as Pandya acknowledged the applause with a humble smile and wave. The emotional and celebratory atmosphere reached new heights as a visibly moved Hardik stood up, acknowledging the fans' support.
Rohit Sharma echoed this sentiment, saying, “Hats off to Hardik Pandya for bowling the final over brilliantly,” which only intensified the crowd's chants of “Hardik! Hardik!”
In another touching moment, Virat Kohli shared his heartfelt reflections, stating, "Rohit and I have been striving for this moment for so long. Winning a World Cup and bringing the trophy back to Wankhede is an indescribable feeling. We’ve played together for the past 15 years, and seeing Rohit so emotional, both of us crying and hugging, is a memory I will cherish forever."
Kohli also lavished praise on Jasprit Bumrah, India's player of the tournament, saying, "I'll sign the petition for Jasprit Bumrah to be the eighth wonder of the world right now." The crowd erupted in agreement, celebrating Bumrah's exceptional performance throughout the tournament.
The celebrations at Wankhede were further amplified as Kohli and Rohit, the iconic duo, led the team in joyous dance celebrations on the field, much to the fans' delight. Reflecting on the victory parade, Jasprit Bumrah expressed his awe, stating, "What I saw today, I have never seen anything like this," encapsulating the overwhelming joy and pride felt by everyone present.
