Mumbai: It took the specially-designed open-top bus almost an hour to travel less than 2 kilometres, from Marine Drive to the Wankhede Stadium, as it navigated countless cheering fans lined up on the road on Thursday evening.
The Wankhede Stadium was already filled up with 30,000 people, who had been waiting patiently since 4 pm.
Once the players finally reached the ground, around 8.50 pm, the noise was deafening.
The ambience at the stadium was as charged-up as it was along the victory-parade route.
Soon after acknowledging the capacity crowd, the Virat Kohlis, Suryakumar Yadavs and Arshdeep Singhs broke into dance as bhangra and other popular songs played out.
Indian Cricket players dance to the tunes of dhol at Wankhede Stadium at an event being held here after their victory parade to celebrate their #T20WorldCup victory. pic.twitter.com/1NiiKiQtsl
— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli dancing at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. What a moment 😭😭♥️♥️pic.twitter.com/XmYhGNhLBo
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 4, 2024
Then it was time for the leading players to share their thoughts with the MC.
Skipper Rohit Sharma applauded Indian cricket fans, and dedicated the T20 World Cup title to the entire nation.
“Mumbai never disappoints. We got a solid reception. On behalf of the team, we would like to thank the fans. I am very, very happy and relieved,” Rohit said.
Virat Kohli, Man of the Match in the final, said he had never seen Rohit so emotional on a cricket field.
The former captain hailed Jasprit Bumrah as a once-in-a-generation cricketer, and hoped that he would play for India many more years.
Bumrah, the Player of the Tournament, said he was not one inclined to show much emotions.
“But I also cried… with son Angad being there made it more special,” said Bumrah.
The players took a lap of honour around the ground, signing autographs even on tennis balls.
The team was then handed over the ash reward of Rs 125 crore at the podium in the centre of the ground amid confetti shower and spray colours of white, saffron and green as ‘We are the champions’ blared from the loudspeakers.
