team-india-s-emotional-vande-mataram-rendition-at-wankhede

The Rohit Sharma-led Team India was celebrated at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, following their historic victory over South Africa in Barbados to secure the T20 World Cup for the second time.

 

The celebration evoked memories of the 2011 ODI World Cup win at the same venue, where MS Dhoni's men were cheered on by the iconic crowd.

 

In a moment reminiscent of the 2011 final, the Wankhede crowd joined Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya in a powerful rendition of AR Rahman's 'Maa Tujhe Salam'.

 

वंदे मातरम 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/j5D4nMMdF9

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 4, 2024

 

Kohli, the only player from both World Cup-winning squads, led the chorus, giving fans an unforgettable experience.

 

The video of this emotional moment, shared by the BCCI with the caption 'Vande Mataram,' quickly went viral, garnering nearly two million views.

 

The celebratory atmosphere extended beyond the stadium. After being delayed in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl, Team India arrived in New Delhi on a charter flight early Thursday.

 

They met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence before heading to Mumbai, where a sea of fans greeted them along Marine Drive.

 

In an open bus convoy, Captain Rohit Sharma and his deputy Hardik Pandya proudly displayed the coveted trophy as fans lined the streets, waving the Indian flag and cheering for their cricket heroes.

 

The team then participated in an official celebration organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at Wankhede Stadium.

 

Fans, who had waited for hours to see their cricket idols, danced, waved flags, and illuminated the night with their smartphone lights.

 

This victory marks India's first ICC trophy in 11 years, their first world title in 13 years, and their first T20 championship in 17 years.

 

To commemorate the achievement, the BCCI announced a cash bonus of INR 125 crore for the winning squad.