Four hours were the length of time fans had to wait for homecoming World Cup heroes.
On Thursday evening, towards reclaimed land, the sea was looking bluer. After being delayed on account of a hurricane from Barbados by Rohit Sharma’s T20 World Cup winning Team India. They returned homes in midst of cricket-mad Mumbaikars who covered Nariman Point to Wankhede stadium. And made the open top bus carrying Indian cricket heroes slice bravely. And cutely through the heaving sea of admirers each jostling to catch a sight of their champions.
Even before it landed at Mumbai from Delhi after 5pm today, many thousands had lined up across the road from NCPA gates braving showers only moving towards Wankhede that opened late evening for felicitation.
Some climbed trees, while others broke barricades as everyone took photographs with their phones. While team finally arrived atop a blue bus. Captain Rohit Sharma held the trophy high next to Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and others waved at his adoring fans with much jubilation. The air buzzed with ‘Mumbaicha Raja Rohit Sharma’ and ‘Boom Boom Bumrah’. As it moved along slowly on its route, people lost shoes in the excitement leading almost pandemonium state.
After an applause-filled lap of honour by the players at Wankhede where they also dedicated this T20 WC title “to entire nation,” Rohit said so during a calm moment.
BCCI office-bearers presented a cheque worth INR 125 crores to the team during felicitation. “We wanted this T20 World Cup title as badly as our fans,” commented Rohit.
“I will miss this love; I won’t forget what I saw on streets tonight” – Rahul Dravid told journalists when asked about his feelings leaving post match press conference.
Late afternoon had the crowds so excited that they could not have cared less about what was going to happen next although for a while, they were at the mercy of weather conditions. First, it scorched them till they became roasted; then the heavens opened on them. In spite of this, everyone remained still for over four hours. And got wet appreciating it as part of the celebration with intermittent roars of “India! India!” that made their lungs explode.
‘We are ready to take a bullet for our Men in Blue’
A group of 20 friends, who all adorned Team India jersey design in their unique way, came all the way from Kandivli in western suburbs to the extreme south of the city. The train’s one side opened and out they poured onto platform waving Indian Flag at full mast. While blowing trumpets on turns and screaming each cricketer’s name repetitively.
Rajendra Damle, 20, was one of these, trying to capture the sentiment of that moment. “It’s hard to explain,” he said with a gleam in his eye, “it’s just pure joy.” He said his eyes shining. There’s a winner and it feels like we are winners too, we belong here and want to celebrate with them.
Speaking next to him was Kreena Vaghel, 18. “It’s also our opportunity for showing off how much regard and love we have for them,” she added. They became part of the crowd at Marine Drive who were set to celebrate their heroes’ win as if it were theirs.
Aditya, Agastya, Sanchay and Jainit from high school had travelled all the way from Goregaon to be amongst the crowds. “Surya Kumar Yadav’s catch in the final was one of the best moments,” they all shouted out at once still excited over what happened.
“This victory is some sort of a relief after Australia defeated us in November 2019 ODI World Cup final game,” said Agastya as he could hardly contain himself. “We urged on our blues.” Agastya almost screamed out but managed to hold back his enthusiasm for a while. “I can’t wait to watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli”, NCPA – Wankhede will be ready! Rain or shine doesn’t matter…we are ready to die for our men in blue.”
In between people proudly stood Meenal Shah holding up a collage of photos which featured Ravindra Jadeja Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Rahul Dravid with pride amidst the crowd from Ghatkopar which read thus: The end of an era: India won but lost these diamonds … Please don’t go…” It was a plea that spoke from so many hearts even as they celebrated during this parade.“I made this banner because it means a lot to me,” she said. “I can’t imagine India playing without them and their retirements from T20 internationals.”
Meanwhile N B Chittalwala of Mumbra, Thane was also not left out as he remembered. “In 1983 my father took me to the airport to see the World Cup winning team. I was one of those who marched with Dhoni’s 2007 T20 winners. Now I have to give my daughters the same experience.”
Pradeep Gond from Kandivli was an exception among all his friends who wore t-shirts with ‘Rohit’, ‘Dhoni’ or ‘Virat’. At the back of his t-shirt was written ‘Akaay’- Virat Kohli’s son’s name. “This is also my son’s name,” Pradeep said. “Because I am biggest fan of him so after what Virat named his son, that is why I named mine,” he added.
