Players Hail the Meeting as an “Honor”
India’s T20 World Cup-winning cricket team received a grand welcome upon their return to the country. Fresh off their historic triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 held in Barbados, the champions landed in New Delhi and were greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on Thursday, July 4. Following their meeting with the PM, the team headed to Mumbai for a celebratory victory parade.
Warm Reception at PM’s Residence
Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the victorious squad met with Prime Minister Modi, who congratulated them on their incredible win. The players expressed their gratitude through various social media posts, sharing moments from their visit to the PM’s residence. Star batsman Virat Kohli described the meeting as a “great honor,” thanking the Prime Minister for hosting them. “What a great honor meeting our honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji today,” Kohli wrote on Instagram, sharing a photograph with the PM.
Players Appreciate Modi’s Encouragement
Other key players, including Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, echoed similar sentiments, expressing their appreciation for Modi’s support and encouragement. The team spent about 90 minutes at the PM’s residence, where they recounted their experiences from the tournament. PM Modi, in turn, took to Twitter to express his joy at meeting the team, saying, “An excellent meeting with our Champions! Hosted the World Cup-winning team at 7, LKM, and had a memorable conversation on their experiences through the tournament.”
BCCI’s Heartfelt Thanks
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also shared the joyous occasion on their official Twitter handle, thanking the Prime Minister for his inspirational words and unwavering support for the team. “The triumphant Indian Cricket Team met with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, at his official residence today upon arrival. Sir, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your inspiring words and the invaluable support you have provided to #teamIndia,” read the tweet from BCCI.
Special Memento for PM Modi
In a special gesture, BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Jay Shah presented PM Modi with a Team India jersey, customized with “NaMo” printed on the back. The photograph of this special gift was widely shared, capturing the significance of the moment.
Mumbai’s Grand Celebration Awaits
Following their inspiring interaction with the Prime Minister, the team proceeded to Mumbai for a victory parade. Scheduled to start from Marine Drive and conclude at Wankhede Stadium, the parade will feature an open bus procession, allowing fans to celebrate the team’s success. The celebration at Wankhede Stadium includes a function with free entry for fans, where players are expected to be felicitated for their historic achievement.
(With inputs from agencies)
