Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] India returned triumphant from Barbados after defeating South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, ending an 11-year trophy drought. Upon their return, the Indian team met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before heading to Mumbai to celebrate.
The team participated in a victory parade from Marine Drive to Wankhede Stadium, where thousands of fans gathered to celebrate. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who had faced criticism during IPL 2024 after replacing Rohit Sharma as MI’s skipper, redeemed himself with a match-winning performance in the World Cup.
Pandya expressed his gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), thanking fans for their support: “India, you mean the world to me! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the love…these are moments I will never forget! Thank you for coming out to celebrate with us, despite the rains! We love you so much! Celebrating with you is why we do what we do! We’re all champions! All 1.4 billion of us! Thank you Mumbai, thank you India.”
During the felicitation ceremony at Wankhede Stadium, India skipper Rohit Sharma praised Pandya’s performance, especially his crucial final over against South Africa. “Hardik was bowling the last crucial over for us. Hats off to him for that. You know how much pressure there is to bowl that over, hats off to him,” Rohit said.