On July 4, 2024, a little over seven months since the somber scenes in the Indian dressing room, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Team India again, this time at his residence in New Delhi under entirely contrasting circumstances. The occasion was filled with joy and celebration as the Prime Minister candidly chatted and laughed with the Indian cricketers. The mood was jubilant, and the smiles were boundless.
The players, proudly wearing special jerseys with the word “champions” written in bold, showcased the bright stars atop the BCCI logo, which shone brightly, symbolizing their recent victory. Team India had triumphed as the T20 World Champions of 2024.
PM Modi hosted the victorious Team India at a private ceremony at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The players sat in a circle around the Prime Minister. Captain Rohit Sharma sat to the right of PM Modi, while head coach Rahul Dravid was to his left. India’s vice-captain, Hardik Pandya, sat to the right of Rohit Sharma, with star batter Virat Kohli and ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah seated to the left of coach Dravid.
The atmosphere was in stark contrast to their last meeting on November 19, 2023, when the mood was somber. Back then, after winning ten matches on the trot, Team India had lost to Australia in the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. The players’ shoulders were dropped, and their heads hung low. PM Modi had to hold the hands of captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to cheer them up, offering pats and encouragement to all the players and support staff members.
This time, however, the spirits were high, and the celebration of their hard-earned victory was evident in every interaction. The photograph with the entire team and the T20 World Cup trophy captured the triumphant moment, marking a memorable day for Indian cricket.