Post India’s T20 World Cup victory, Hardik Pandya, fresh from a media session, spots you and shares a heartfelt embrace, patting your back. “Destiny, bro,” he says. It felt destined, with Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya at the helm after two turbulent months, sealing the victory at Kensington Oval.
Suryakumar Yadav’s exceptional catch almost sealed the game, and Virat Kohli, on his last T20I day, finally won his first T20 World Cup. Rahul Dravid, lifting a World Cup trophy on his final day as head coach, added to the narrative. Hardik booed for months and delivered the finishing touch to one of India’s greatest cricketing triumphs.
After the final delivery, Hardik was in tears. Nearby, Rohit punched the ground before teammates swarmed him. Kohli broke down as Hardik’s fifth delivery of the last over didn’t concede a boundary. Down on the long-off boundary, Kohli, fists in the air, covered his eyes in joy, taking deep breaths, knowing victory was near.
As reserve players and support staff stormed the field with Indian flags, the celebrations were unrestrained. Rohit lay on the ground, Hardik pointed to the sky, and the team erupted in hugs, jumps, and jubilant chaos. This win was more than a feeling; it was a collective emotion experienced by millions of Indian cricket fans worldwide.
The emotion was indescribable—a mix of pure joy, relief, and unexplained mania. Rohit later expressed his desire to capture the moment, despite being at its center. For hours, Indian players, caught in the euphoria, hugged, jumped, and celebrated wildly. Families joined in, with Jasprit Bumrah sharing tender moments with his wife, Sanjana Ganesan, even as she worked as an ICC presenter. Kohli proudly showed off his medal to his wife and child, waving the Indian flag.
Rahul Dravid’s guttural roar while holding the trophy encapsulated the win’s collective emotion. The team, in a state of euphoria, moved in and out of the dressing room, posing for pictures, and breaking into impromptu bhangra. Meanwhile, the South African camp, familiar with defeat, stood listlessly in the rain, waiting to applaud the Indian team before leaving the field.
Amid the mayhem, Hardik took an Indian flag to the middle of the pitch, reflecting on the spot where he sealed the deal. “Destiny, bro,” he whispered, needing a moment to himself, contemplating the journey and the victory.
Challenges Off the Field: Stranded in Barbados Due to Hurricane Beryl
However, the celebrations were short-lived as Hurricane Beryl struck Bridgetown, Barbados, stranding the Indian team. Scheduled to depart the Caribbean island two days ago, the players, support staff, and their families faced flight cancellations due to the hurricane. With the entire island shut down, they were confined to their hotel.
Efforts by BCCI managers to arrange a private jet faced obstacles due to the closure of Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA). Despite minimal damage to the airport, the authorities ensured safety checks before reopening it. Anticipated to resume air traffic later today, the Indian team is set to fly directly to New Delhi, where they will meet the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the South African team managed to leave Barbados before the hurricane, with most players heading to participate in the Major League Cricket (MLC) or Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Back in India, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) confirmed Lakshmipathy Balaji’s appointment as the state coach, although his acceptance remains uncertain. As the Indian team looks ahead, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced that the new head coach and support staff would take over from the Sri Lanka series later this month.
As the Indian team prepares to return home, the euphoria of their World Cup victory is tempered by the challenges posed by nature. Yet, the spirit of victory and the collective emotion of this historic win remain undiminished.
PC: ICC
