The Lok Sabha resounded with applause on Monday as it congratulated the Indian cricket team for their thrilling triumph in the T20 World Cup. Speaker Om Birla highlighted the win's significance, emphasizing its role in inspiring the nation's youth and athletes alike.
Prime Minister Modi's Commendations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally connected with several players on Sunday via phone to laud their exceptional performance. He specifically praised captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, both of whom announced their retirement from T20 internationals following the victory. Modi commended Sharma, saying, "Your excellence shines through. Your aggressive approach, batting prowess, and leadership have elevated the Indian team to new heights. Your T20 journey will be cherished. It was a pleasure speaking with you today."
He also acknowledged Kohli's contributions, stating, "Your innings in the finals showcased your skill in anchoring India's batting. You have excelled across all formats. While T20 cricket will miss you, I am confident you will continue to inspire the next generation of players."
Modi singled out Hardik Pandya for his decisive final over and Suryakumar Yadav for his exceptional boundary catch that dismissed David Miller, a game-changing moment. He also praised Jasprit Bumrah for his pivotal role in the bowling attack.
Recognition for Rahul Dravid
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to head coach Rahul Dravid for his invaluable contributions to Indian cricket. Modi underscored the team's exceptional skill and spirit throughout the tournament. "The team's performance has filled the nation with pride. Their dedication and hard work are truly inspiring, and this victory reflects their relentless pursuit of excellence," he added.
Sharad Pawar's Appreciation
Sharad Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party Chief and former BCCI President, shared his joy and extended congratulations to the Indian cricket team for their stellar performance. Pawar, who led the BCCI from 2005 to 2008 and the ICC from 2010 to 2012, praised the team's effort. "We are delighted with our boys' performance. I congratulate Rahul Dravid and all the players for their commitment and hard work," Pawar told ANI.
Recap of the Final Match
India secured the T20 World Cup 2024 title by defeating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados. Opting to bat first, India faced an early setback at 34/3 but recovered well with a counter-attacking partnership between Virat Kohli (76) and Axar Patel (47). A crucial 57-run stand between Kohli and Shivam Dube propelled India to 176/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje were the standout bowlers for South Africa.
Chasing 177 runs, South Africa found themselves struggling at 12/2 initially, but a resilient 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs revived their hopes. Heinrich Klaasen's half-century further challenged India's dominance, yet disciplined bowling from Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya in the final overs secured India's victory, restricting South Africa to 169/8.
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