Team India T20 World Cup 2024 victory parade: Until next time, India!

The face of this Indian team laughed sang danced and even seemed to tear upFor Rohit Sharma the only thing that could come close to lifting the World Cup trophy was celebrating it with the fans in his hometownHundreds of thousands crammed Mumbairsquos Marine Drive since Thursday afternoon to witness the triumphal parade in Team Indiarsquos honour with another 20000 or so filling the seafacing promenade for a rally filled with emotional momentsSharma was the unquestioned star of the show drawing the loudest cheers from start to finish usually chants of lsquoRoRorsquo and lsquoRohit Sharma Zindabadrsquo There were signs that read lsquoRohit ne kar dikhayarsquo Rohit showed how it is done and cutout letters that spelled lsquoThank you RohitrsquoLed by Sharma himself the team visibly fatigued yet invigorated by the festive atmosphere embraced the jubilant atmosphere as they waved to throngs of fans lining the Wankhede ground despite persistent rain For the captain this day held the promise of being exceptionally memorable as it evoked memories of a comparable procession held in Mumbai nearly 17 years ago following Indiarsquos scintillating triumph over archrivals Pakistan in the inaugural 2007 World T20 final in South AfricaldquoNa jaane yeh din phir aur kab dikhne ko mile Yeh din bahut bahut special haihellipsaare bharatiyo ke liye Aisa lag raha hai final idhar hi huya tha humare Mumbai mein Jis tarah se inhone hum sabko pyaar diye samman diye isse yeh dikhlata hai ki yeh team aur aage jaayegi Hum sabka saath hamesha aap log se jure honge Who knows when this day will come again This day feels very special for all Indians It feels like they played the final match here in Mumbai The manner in which they players showered their love on us it shows they will go places We will always be with you Team Indiardquo 51yearold Sayyed Abir Khurshid told MidDayldquoWho cares about the rain Nothing holds dear more than this special parade This truly is Indiarsquos Independence Day We are all so lucky to witness this live My dad has always told me stories about the 2011 final now I also have something to tell my kids about when I have them laughsrdquo said Mayur Lalwani a 21yearold college studentMumbairsquos infamous drizzle did little to dampen the spirits of those like Lalwani who came decked up in various shades of blue from light to oxford to azure and even contemporary blue and so onThe parade commenced from the National Centre for Performing Arts NCPA at Nariman Point resonating with the anthemic strains of AR Rahmanrsquos lsquoTeam India Hai Humrsquo from Maidaan echoing through the streets Fathers hoisted their young sons onto their shoulders while thousands others brandished placards waved the national flag vying for a glimpse of their sporting idols The lively scene was further animated by the sound of vuvuzelas blown enthusiastically by young supporters enhancing the festive atmosphereThe anticipated numbers thronging the streets a notoriously unpredictable measure were estimated between 50100 to 100000 Yet the influence of inclement weather on the crowds size remained undeterredThe weather could have been better itrsquos not easy to come with three kids by train all the way from Thane to Churchgate but they insisted on coming Theyre diehard cricket fans and its heartening to witness the players enjoying themselves Theyve truly made us proudrdquo said Rishi Aggarwal a 34yearold techie while showcasing a poster of his favourite player MS Dhoni holding aloft the Champions TrophySharma radiating joviality led others in spirited renditions of cricket chants broadcast from loudspeakers mounted on the bus His friendly interaction with the crowd underscored the deep bond between the team and their loyalists creating lasting memories of unity and celebrationThe scenes of celebration continued late into the night with supporters lingering at the Marine Drive savouring the momentous occasion For many this parade symbolised more than just a sporting victory it embodied the spirit of togetherness and the enduring passion for cricket that binds generations togetherSome cried some bowed some danced with unrestrained jubilation Until next time India