Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media channels broadcasted a riveting live video on Friday, July 5, featuring a heartfelt conversation with the victorious Indian T20 World Cup team. This interaction took place a day after the nation celebrated their remarkable achievement. On July 4, the T20 World Cup champions received a hero’s welcome upon their arrival at both the airport and the hotel in Delhi. Their triumphant parade continued to Mumbai, where fans gathered in massive numbers along Marine Drive and the Wankhede Stadium to cheer for the champions.
Prime Minister Modi’s warm welcome to the Indian team included heartfelt congratulations for their splendid World Cup victory. He extended his praise not just for their performance on the field but also for the inspiring spirit, hard work, and teamwork they exhibited throughout the tournament. “Your efforts inspire not only in sports but uplift the entire nation. Your camaraderie, perseverance, and team spirit are exemplary and can contribute significantly to the nation,” PM Modi remarked.
The first of many engaging queries from PM Modi was directed at the Indian team skipper, Rohit Sharma. The Prime Minister humorously brought up Rohit’s peculiar act of tasting the soil of the Barbados pitch, drawing a parallel with similar acts often performed by the Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic after Grand Slam victories. When asked about his motivation behind this act, Rohit shared a sentimental reasoning. He explained that he wanted a unique keepsake from the significant venue where the Indian team clinched their prestigious World Cup win.
“The place, the playing surface where we got our victory, I just wanted to keep something from that. I wanted to keep a moment of that to remember for my life and hence I tasted that. Because we won after playing on that pitch and everyone waited for that moment for so long, everyone put in so much effort for that.
. Numerous times in the past we came very close to achieving that but fell short and finally, we achieved through the team’s effort,” Rohit shared with PM Modi.
Rohit further elaborated on how the Barbados pitch where they sealed their victory holds a special place in his heart and will always be a cherished memory. PM Modi continued to delve into the experiences of the winning team, asking Rohit about his triumphant march to receive the World Cup trophy. To this, Rohit recounted the excitement and emotional atmosphere surrounding the triumph. He disclosed that fellow teammates Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal suggested he add a unique flair to his walk rather than just proceeding plainly to the podium.
Rohit enthusiastically recreated the distinctive trophy-receiving walk of the legendary footballer Lionel Messi and the iconic Ric Flair, drawing inspiration partly from Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, who demonstrated a similar celebratory walk when he clinched the IPL 2024 trophy earlier. The conversation with PM Modi and the Indian team continued to emphasize the joy and dedication that punctuated their World Cup journey.
Throughout the live interaction, the focus remained on the collective efforts, the victories, and the personal anecdotes that defined the team’s path to success. Each player contributed unique tales of hard work, sacrifice, and euphoria that painted a vivid picture of the team’s journey. Coach Rahul Dravid also shared his pride in the team’s discipline and strategy that paid off in spades on the world stage.
Overall, the discussion with PM Modi served as a significant celebration of the Indian team’s win, highlighting not just their cricketing prowess but also their inspirational stories that resonate with millions of fans across India. It was a moment of national pride, bringing to light the synergy between the team’s efforts and the nation’s collective hopes, setting a splendid example for future generations.
The Prime Minister’s engagement with the team was more than just a congratulatory note; it honored the spirit of cricket and underscored the unity and inspiration that sports bring to the national fabric. The Indian T20 World Cup champions not only brought home a trophy but also kindled a flame of determination and unity that, as PM Modi noted, will inspire the nation long beyond the cricket field.
