Ishaan Shahane and Debasis Sen
India are the champions of the world, and the fairytale ending could not have been scripted better. After a month-long journey through the T20 World Cup, the Indian team’s victory in the final is the cherry on top.
Emotions are running high, and they will continue to do so for a long time, as India have finally lifted an ICC trophy after years of perseverance and heartbreaking near-misses. Rohit Sharma was seen lying on the turf in sheer happiness, while Hardik Pandya let his inner child out. Virat Kohli was speaking to his family on a call, and the rest of the team rejoiced in the moment.
Two top teams competed in the finals, and the grand stage lived up to its expectations, with the match going down to the wire. Being present in the stands was an unforgettable experience, a moment I will always look back on with immense joy. The mood and colour of Kensington Oval were all blue, with fans supporting the Indian team and cheering at every opportunity. The match had its moments where momentum swung, but the crowd’s unwavering support kept the spirits high, backing India at all costs.
Captain Rohit deserves immense credit for his leadership. Although he didn’t deliver with the bat in the final, his impactful performances in crucial stages of the tournament were instrumental in securing a place in the final. After the disappointment of the ODI World Cup final, nobody would have felt the hurt more than him. This win proves that nothing in life is constant and redemption is always available if you pursue it.
Kohli, as always, was at the heart of the team’s success. His match-defining knock seemed like a culmination of destiny, with the stars aligning in his favour when he and the team needed it the most. Kohli is a big-match player, and he proved why he is the best in the world. After a stellar run, Kohli announced his retirement from T20I cricket, making it an emotional moment for RoKo. Tears of both happiness and sadness filled Kensington Oval, but it seemed like the perfect farewell for these champions of Indian cricket.
Redemption and resilience were epitomised by Hardik Pandya. Just a few months ago, he was at the centre of intense scrutiny and trolling. He proved all his doubters wrong with utmost grace and style. The all-rounder stepped up in this World Cup, proving his worth with a nerve-wracking final over. This is what champions are made of, and those present at the venue knew they were witnessing a great story. Seeing Pandya teary-eyed at the end was the breaking point for many, who cried with him over this emphatic win. His success felt deeply personal on many levels.
This match will be remembered for Suryakumar Yadav’s sensational catch, which has now become legendary. What Surya pulled off is equivalent to Kapil Dev’s iconic catch in the 1983 World Cup final. Moments like this define the game. The roars that followed that catch were deafening, as the entire stadium erupted in unison, knowing the game was now in India’s hands.
The World Cup campaign concluded on a perfect note when we saw coach Rahul Dravid celebrating fully with the team. Dravid, usually reserved, was overjoyed with the win, encapsulating the essence of this World Cup journey. Team India are the champions, and the World Cup win after 13 long years has brought immense joy to the nation.