New Delhi, July 4: Failed in Ahmedabad, but triumphed in Bridgetown (Barbados).
The period between November 19, 2023 and June 29, 2024 is one of the toughest, anxious and gruelling phase for Indian players, who were part of the tow finals on those two dates. The same holds true for support staff, board officials and millions of die hard Indian cricket fans.
On November 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad, Indian players and crores of supporters were shattered as the hosts after 10 consecutive record wins in the tournament, lost the final to Australia, in an unexpected and one-sided game of cricket.
Then months after, on June 29, 2023 in Bridgetown (Barbados), Indian team held their nerves to beat South Africa to lift their second T20 World Cup trophy. Their fourth World Cup title overall, with two T20 and two ODI trophies.
Lot has been said about the team, their struggle, recovery and their triumph. But after winning the World Cup in West Indies, two iconic players, who are legends of the game had different ways of sharing their joy.
Captain Rohit Sharma was almost stunned after bit of elation, sat on the ground for a while silently. Then he joined the celebrations and lifted the trophy. Later, Rohit carried his daughter on his shoulders and walked around the stadium with his years-long teammate Virat Kohli by the side. His mother rightly remarked, "Daughter on shoulders, brother on side."
But Kohli, the more expressive of the two, and perhaps even the most reactive in the current setup (excepting may be Mohammed Siraj), picked his phone and was busy communicating with his daughter and family. He perhaps had no clues, what was going on around him for a few minutes as he kept communicating via his phone. But the cameras were rightly focused on his reactions and activities.
But later Kohli too joined the team and celebrated. However, it was clear that emotional Kohli was waiting eagerly to share this great joy with his family.
After five days of getting stranded in the Caribbean for Hurricane Beryl, Team India finally arrived in India on Thursday. As India arrived in New Delhi, local boy Kohli was cheered a lot. A great relief in fact for him and Indian fans as well.
After arrival in the national capital, Kohli's brother and other family members greeted him warmly.
His brother Vikas Kohli wrote on his Instagram, "So proud Bhai" and put photos of himself, his son, niece and nephew withVirat Kohli. His sister Bhawna Kohli also shared the photos on her Instagram.
Virat Kohli, who rather had a forgettable T20 World Cup 2024 in his new as an opener, however, played a compact knock in the summit clash and was awarded the Player of the Final.
Perhaps relieved with the World Cup triumph, as expected, Kohli along with Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja said bye to the T20 Internationals.
