Team India’s dependable Virat Kohli had a memorable interaction with a fan during the victory parade in Mumbai on Thursday, July 4th. The entire Indian cricket team, including players and support staff, participated in an open bus parade along Marine Drive in South Mumbai.
The parade was organized to celebrate the team’s triumphant campaign in the recently concluded 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India secured the trophy after a thrilling final against South Africa on June 29th, marking the nation’s first ICC tournament victory in 11 years.
After a decade of setbacks since their win in the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the team’s triumph brought joy to fans who gathered in large numbers on the streets of Mumbai to celebrate with their cherished cricketers.
One of Virat Kohli’s ardent admirers took extraordinary measures by climbing a tree to get a closer glimpse of his favorite player as the team passed by on the bus. Kohli noticed the fan perched in the tree and pointed it out to his teammate, Ravindra Jadeja.
During the World Cup victory celebrations at Wankhede Stadium, Virat Kohli expressed heartfelt gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support and affection. He shared his sentiments with ESPNcricinfo, saying:
“A big thank you to all the people who turned up in the stadium. What we saw on the streets tonight is something I’m never going to forget in my life. The last four days have been a roller-coaster of a ride.”
He added:
“As soon as we won the World Cup, we wanted to get out of Barbados and return to India to celebrate with everyone. We got stuck in the hurricane, so it was an anti-climactic feeling. But since we’ve been back, it’s been phenomenal.”
Virat Kohli bids farewell to T20I cricket on a high note, having been named Player of the Match in India’s triumphant 2024 World Cup final against South Africa.