Phones at the residence of Gurunath and Purnima Sharma, parents of Team India’s T-20 World Cup winning captain Rohit Sharma, have not stopped ringing since the moment the team won the World Cup.
“By now, I must have answered hundreds of calls, all congratulating us for the victory. I am speechless. Don’t have words to express our joy and we merely said ‘thank you to all’, the father, a retired man who worked in a transport company, said when speaking exclusively to DC.
“As a parent of the captain, this is a proud moment for our family. We watched every ball of the final on TV here and didn’t go to bed till late hours of celebrations were over in Bridgetown, the capital island of Barbados. It was a great team effort and the credit should go to all members of the team and the coach (Rahul Dravid) and the entire support staff. It was a tough match and at one point of time,it was felt that the game is slipping away from India!,” he said.
“We have not planned any celebrations as of now but are waiting for him to arrive. We are expecting a call from Rohit any moment”. Later, Rohit’s mother, Purnima, came on line, said, “Rohit’s T-20 international career started in 2007 when India won the inaugural T-20I World Cup. He was a player then. We celebrated the victory in 2007 when we were living in a chawl in Gorai in one of the Western suburbs of Mumbai. Rohit’s coach Dinesh Lad and his legal advisor Jaiswal were staying in the same building and we watched the match together”.
Signing off in style
Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from T20 international cricket after India’s World Cup final win over South Africa. “Yes, it is rather a sad thing for their fans. The fans will miss them but then it is always good when young players come and take their spots. It is the right time
to end,” Rohit’s mother said.
Speaking with media persons post match Rohit said, “Nothing better than winning the cup and saying goodbye.”
Virat Kohli said, “It’s an open secret... this was my last T20 World Cup. It’s time for the next generation to take over.”
Rohit eats a bit of mud
Rohit Sharma, after winning the T20 World Cup, was seen eating a bit of the mud on the Barbados pitch on June 29. In a video shared by ICC, Rohit could be seen lifting sand from the Bardbaos pitch on which India and South Africa squared off in the final. The Hitman then put the sand in his mouth. He paid his respect to it the track before departing.
When unfair comments hurt Pandya
All-rounder Hardik Pandya was in tears after the win. He talked about the unfair comments he had to face during the recent IPL. Mumbai Indians (MI) supporters and social media trolls had been very harsh to Pandya. Speaking to the broadcaster after the game, Pandya said he had not lost his temper once when things were going wrong, which was precisely why the victory felt all the more meaningful. “I believe in grace. A lot was said by people who don’t even know me one percent as a person. People have spoken, no issues but I have always believed in life that you never respond with words, circumstances can respond,” he said.
‘I will be unemployed’, jokes Dravid
Rahul Dravid had earlier confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2024 was his last assignment as the head coach of Rohit's Team India. “I will be able to move on quickly from this win, next week I will be unemployed (laughs). I don’t want to think too far ahead, but yes, I hope, I will be able to move on. I think that’s what life is all about,” Dravid told news agency — PTI
Not without my partner
As the nation celebrates Team India win in World Cup 2024, it’s their partners who deserve applause too as their rock solid, unwavering support, through good and bad times, helped our players achieve their dreams. Soon after the win, the players reached out to their respective spouses with a tight hug.
