Team India T20 World Cup Victory Parade Highlights: Rohit Sharma heaps praise on Hardik Pandya, Wankhede erupts to cheers

Maithili suffers from Spina Bifida, a condition where the spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb. She does not have any sensation from waist down and had to depend on her colleagues — she’s an HR at Tata Power — to bring her to the Marine Drive promenade.

Unforgettable moments ???#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/1XNXvQm2Uy

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) July 4, 2024

Bollywood superstar and KKR co-owner Shahrukh Khan also took to his social media to concede his emotions, "Seeing the boys so happy and emotional fills my heart with pride…. As Indians this is such an amazing moment - to see our boys take us to such great heights!!! Love u all my Team India… and now dance away all night long."

India, you mean the world to me! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the love.. these are moments that I will never ever forget! Thank you for coming out to celebrate with us, despite the rains! We love you so much! Celebrating with you is why we do what we do! We’re… pic.twitter.com/c18lLrPJ1q

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) July 4, 2024

Among the moments that received the loudest of applause from the Wankhede crowd was when the Indian skipper praised his deputy Hardik Pandya for seeing through the T20 World Cup final for India with the ball.

"Hats off to him to bowl that last over. No matter how many runs you need, there's always so much pressure to bowl that over. Hats off to him," said the Indian skipper before the Wankhede crowd started chanting "Hardik! Hardik!". The Indian all-rounder broke into a smile, stood up and waved at the crowd. 

Okay folks, this is a straight up dagger to the heart, so keep those tissues ready.

Virat Kohli: 'Rohit and I, we've been trying this for so long. We always wanted to win a World Cup. Bringing the trophy back to Wankhede is a very special feeling. We have been playing for the last 15 years and this is the first time, I've seen Rohit so emotional - he was crying, I was crying, a hug between both of us - I will never forget that day.'

Speaking on the mic in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium, India's talismanic batter Virat Kohli made a promise. "I'll sign the petition for Jasprit Bumrah to be the eighth wonder of the world right now," Kohli said on the "once-in-a-generation" bowler, who was India's player of the tournament. Mumbai, of course, agreed with their cheers. Who wouldn't?

With immaculate footwork and rhythmic precision, just as they have over the past decade-and-a-half, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma took to the Wankhede green and the crowd couldn't help but get on their feet, take photos, record videos. This time though, the duo didn't need a bat as they led the Indian team's dancing celebrations. From the front, of course.

Nothing beats watching them dance together ????#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/FOsEhaFpmv

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 4, 2024

India's player of the tournament at the T20 World Cup, Jasprit Bumrah opens up on the victory parade, "What I saw today, I have never seen anything like this."

"I couldn't connect with the emotions of the seniors, who cried that night (after the 2011 World Cup triumph), but now I do," says Virat Kohli on the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.

"I am going to miss this love. What I saw on streets tonight, I won't forget it," says India's outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid at the Wankhede Stadium.

"Mumbai never disappoints," says the Indian captain as the players make their way inside the Wankhede Stadium. "The huge turnout of fans to welcome us shows they were as desperate for this T20 World Cup title as we were." 

Rohit Sharma gets off the team bus and hops his way through a traffic of selfie-wanting fans on his way inside the Wankhede Stadium. 

Meanwhile, here's a visual of Rohit Sharma alongside Rahul Dravid during Team India's victory parade. Just how much would it mean to the former India coach - that former will take some getting used to. The last time Dravid returned with the national team from a World Cup in the Windies to India, the scenes were a lot different. Here's a tribute to a great servant of Indian cricket, alongside two stalwarts and why the trio will always matter to Indian cricket. 

Photo: PTI

Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube leading the dance celebrations as the Indian players make way into the Wankhede Stadium ahead of their felicitation ceremony. 

VIDEO | Team India arrives at Wankhede Stadium after their victory parade. pic.twitter.com/8TttohpTRp

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 4, 2024

Amit Kamath captures the scenes from outside the Trident Hotel as the Indian bus passes by the thousands standing to get a sight of the T20 World champions. 

Scenes from outside the Trident as the #IndianCricketTeam's bus passes by. #AxarPatel and #RishabhPant holding the trophy.

Follow our liveblog for all the updates of #TeamIndiaVictoryParade and the function at #Wankhede https://t.co/G6oHxkP9tG pic.twitter.com/g0FszM3i1J

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) July 4, 2024

So the team bus has finally reached the Wankhede Stadium, where the team will be felicitated in an event that should last around 30 minutes.

Anil Dias from the Queen's Necklace: The crowd was so much that there's footwear everywhere you look at Marine Drive. People pushed, shoved, barged into each other and in the bargain, lost their footwear. It was a mix between utter chaos and jubilation.

Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma. Two stalwarts of the game for India, who announced their retirement from the shortest format are leading the celebrations in the victory parade. A heartmelting moment this as Virat persuades Rohit to lift the trophy together in front of the thousands who've turned to the Marine Drive. 

#WATCH | Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli lift the #T20WorldCup2024 trophy and show it to the fans who have gathered to see them hold their victory parade, in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/jJsgeYhBnw

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024

Glorious visuals from the Marine Drive as the T20 World Cup champions caravan moves forward, the fans have turned on their flashlights. 

Screengrab: ANI

#T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter

At last, the #TeamIndia victory parade begins at the Marine Drive.

?: @aniljdias

LIVE: https://t.co/G6oHxkPHje pic.twitter.com/I8ScJPvdvR

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) July 4, 2024

After a LONG delay, the players have finally made their way to the NCPA and are atop the open-top bus for the victory parade. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube in sights up front. Remember, the parade will continue all the way to the Wankhede Stadium (2KM from the NCPA) where a felicitation event will be hosted.

Photo: Anil Dias

The parade that was set to begin at 5:00 PM from the NCPA in Mumbai has been delayed by more than two-and-a-half hours now. Per the original schedule, even the felicitation ceremony that was to take place at the Wankhede Stadium afterwards was supposed to be over by now. But here we are. 

A delicate balancing act for some fans as anticipation grows for the Indian team's arrival at Marine Drive.

Photo: Amit Kamath

As we await the team making their way to the open-top bus at the NCPA for the beginning of the victory parade, here's something to keep yourselves indulged. Suryakumar Yadav, one of the architects of India's win in the final last week, spoke to Devendra Pandey and spilled beans on a number of elements that helped India clinch their first ICC title in 13 years.

"My mind was clear that kaise bhi karke pakad he lena hai (come what may, have to catch it). Rohit bhai usually never stands at long-on but at that moment he was there. So when the ball was coming, for a second I looked at him and he looked at me." (READ HERE)

#T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter

?"Mumbai cha raja, Rohit Sharma!"

The Queen's Necklace is packed and ready for the world champions to arrive for the open-top bus parade from the NCPA to the Wankhede Stadium.

LIVE: https://t.co/G6oHxkPHje pic.twitter.com/JT4sIAiCix

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) July 4, 2024

Devendra Pandey, from Wankhede Stadium: Police have installed barricades outside the Wankhede Stadium, requesting pubic not to push.

Amit Kamath, from outside the Trident: Some enterprising folks have found a vantage point by climbing on a tree. Those below are extorting them to climb on higher, so they could join them. Despite a lengthy negotiation, those above are holding their ground. Or branch.

You've chanted his name out loud, Wankhede, and he's heard it. "See you soon, Wankhede," Hardik Pandya updates via his X account as the Indian team bus makes its way to the NPCA for the open-top bus parade straight from the Mumbai airport.  

Outside the Trident, those who are tired of standing have planted themselves on the road next to the promenade, choosing to conserve their energy. At the other end, those who have plenty of energy left and are getting restless are amusing themselves by playing their own version of catch with a ball. Soon, someone throws a shoe at the other side of the street and all kinds of projectiles like plastic bottles are being flung in the air. The people staying in the Trident are amusing themselves as well. Some kids have taken to dancing in the windows.

#T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter

The flight carrying Rohit Sharma and Co were welcomed by the Mumbai airport officials, holding the Indian flag atop a car leading the flight to parking Bay Area.

?: @pdevendra

LIVE: https://t.co/G6oHxkPHje pic.twitter.com/2GyrMD1dn9

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) July 4, 2024

"Due to the heavy rush of fans around Wankhede Stadium for the Victory Parade of the Indian Cricket Team, citizens are requested to avoid commuting towards Marine Drive," Mumbai Police wrote on their X account. 

The team bus is yet to reach NPCA to pick up Rohit Sharma and Co for the 2K victory parade. 

It was only three months ago that Mumbai Indians played their first home game at the Wankhede Stadium. A grim memory from that fixture was the home captain Hardik Pandya being booed. The jeers followed him all through the competition. Look how the Indian all-rounder has turned doubters into believers with a packed Wankhede chanting his name as they await a world champion, the world champions.

Trust the process ?#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians | @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/zUeQE6gORR

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 4, 2024

"Indian team's open bus is stuck even before its reaches NCPA to pick Rohit Sharma and Co," Devendra Pandey updates from outside the Wankhede Stadium. This parade may take some time to get started. 

#T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter

Marine Drive is buzzing???

?: @pdevendra

FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/G6oHxkPHje pic.twitter.com/xxbnaxuuts

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) July 4, 2024

Amit Kamath: No sight of Rohit Sharma, the team or the trophy yet. So they brought a replica trophy and started their own celebration on the streets.

Anil Dias: There's a group that won a local tournament in Kandivali and have brought the trophy here. People are going crazy, trying to get a pic with it.

The Mumbai traffic police have banned parking of vehicles from morning to night on 10 roads around the victory parade route of the Indian Cricket Team. Full list here: 

For N S Road, Veer Nariman Road, Madam Cama Road, Free Press Marg, Dinshaw Vacha Road and Maharshi Karve Road, parking will be completely banned.

Parking will also be banned from morning to night on Barrister Rajni Patel Marg, Ramnath Goenka Marg, Vinay K Shah Road and Jamanalal Bajaj Marg, except for vehicles of members of Vidhan Bhavan as the assembly session is underway.

All through the evening, The Indian Express' reporters Devendra Pandey, Mihir Vasavda, Anil Dias and Amit Kamath will be on the ground in Mumbai tracking the Indian team's procession at the victory parade.

A packed Wankhede on a non-cricket day, must be something special. It is. The city that hosted the victory parade of the 2007 T20 World Cup, the venue that hosted India's ODI World Cup triumph in 2011, is also entrusted with the celebrations of the 2024 T20 World Cup win. And even on a rainy day, Mumbai hasn't disappointed and turned up in numbers. Mihir Vasavda with this glorious image of a full capacity Wankhede: 

Earlier today, after they arrived in the national capital, the 2024 T20 World Cup winners were hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. Devendra Pandey reveals the details of the conversations that took place. 

"He asked Sharma how mud tastes after the skipper was seen putting a piece of the turf in his mouth after the victory. Kohli had not been among the runs going into the final and the prime minister wanted to know what he was thinking going into the big game. Axar was asked how he felt when he was promoted with the team in trouble in the final." (READ MORE)

Well, in a T20 World Cup that was marred by the rain on more than one occasion, it is only fitting that the celebrations of its champions returning home too are delayed by the rain. The parade was scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM has been delayed owing to the late arrival of the team, who have finally landed at the Mumbai airport. 

Meanwhile, Devendra Pandey reports from the Wankhede Stadium: Mumbai Police has closed Wankhede Stadium entry for fans after stadium is completely full.

"All gates have been closed, the stadium -- except the grand stand -- is almost full and there are some still making their way to the stands," reports Mihir Vasavda from the venue.

5 pm: Reach NCPA and board the Open-top Bus

5 to 7 pm: Open-top Bus Parade

7 to 7.30 pm: Felicitation function at Wankhede

Fans that have thronged Marine Drive are starting to get impatient. The parade which was supposed to start by 4 is nowhere close to starting. The fans are keeping themselves busy by cheering at every passing vehicle. Buses passing through are getting the loudest cheers while every false shout of 'aa gaya' is creating a furore. Oh and those in Double decker BEST buses that are passing by are being made to feel like superstars...

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE IN MUMBAI

The Mumbai traffic police have banned parking of vehicles from morning to night on 10 roads around the victory parade route of the Indian Cricket Team.

Full list here: For N S Road, Veer Nariman Road, Madam Cama Road, Free Press Marg, Dinshaw Vacha Road and Maharshi Karve Road, parking will be completely banned. Parking will also be banned from morning to night on Barrister Rajni Patel Marg, Ramnath Goenka Marg, Vinay K Shah Road and Jamanalal Bajaj Marg, except for vehicles of members of Vidhan Bhavan as the assembly session is underway.

As fans pack the Wankhede to the rafters, it's started to pour, reports Mihir Vasavda from the venue. Only fitting that even the heavens open up as the champions return home. 

Amit Kamath: As a Churchgate-bound local train enters Borivali Station in the Western suburbs of Mumbai --- a good 30 kilometres away from Wankhede Stadium --- the crowd on the platform erupts. "Idhar bhi Rohit Sharma aaya kya?" quips an elderly gentleman seated in the train.

All South-bound trains filled to the brim.

Those in the train are making frantic calls to those were ahead of the curve and are already at the Wankhede. "Entry mil raha hai kya? Kidhar se ghusa tu" is the common question everyone wants to know in their Bambaiya best.

All through the evening, The Indian Express' reporters Devendra Pandey, Mihir Vasavda, Anil Dias and Amit Kamath will be on the ground in Mumbai tracking the Indian team's procession at the victory parade.

Mihir Vasavda: Stands are packed, the crowd is waiting blissfully unaware that it'll take at least 4 more hours for the team to reach the stadium. There's no facility to drink water, the toilets are locked and threats of stands exceeding capacity. Below are the visuals of the entrance near staircase 12 of the Dilip Vengsarkar stand.

Anil Dias: Huge crowds already outside Trident and Marine Drive promenade waiting for the parade to start.

Devendra Pandey: Stadium-like scenes at the Churchgate station with vociferous chants of "Mumbai ka Raja Rohit Sharma"

https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/marine-drive.png

The queue outside the stadium was so long that the gates have been opened half hour before the scheduled time. The lowest tier of the north stand and one section of Vijay Merchant pavilion is already full. And thousands more are still waiting outside. Won't take long for the stadium to get packed.

Indian players arrived in the national capital in the early hours of Thursday morning, and met the Prime Minister at his residence. 

During the meeting that lasted more than an hour, Modi expressed happiness over India’s win and how the team fought back from crunch situations.

He asked Sharma how mud tastes after the skipper was seen putting a piece of the turf in his mouth after the victory. Kohli had not been among the runs going into the final and the prime minister wanted to know what he was thinking going into the big game. Axar was asked how he felt when he was promoted with the team in trouble in the final. (Devendra Pandey with all the details, HERE)

Nothing must come in the way of the bus parade. So branches of a Banyan Tree, that could possibly come in the way, are being cut just an hour before the parade, reports Anil Dias from the Marine Drive. 

The Mumbai traffic police have banned parking of vehicles from morning to night on 10 roads around the victory parade route of the Indian Cricket Team.

Full list here: For N S Road, Veer Nariman Road, Madam Cama Road, Free Press Marg, Dinshaw Vacha Road and Maharshi Karve Road, parking will be completely banned. Parking will also be banned from morning to night on Barrister Rajni Patel Marg, Ramnath Goenka Marg, Vinay K Shah Road and Jamanalal Bajaj Marg, except for vehicles of members of Vidhan Bhavan as the assembly session is underway.

All through the evening, The Indian Express' reporters Devendra Pandey, Mihir Vasavda, Anil Dias and Amit Kamath will be on the ground in Mumbai tracking the Indian team's procession at the victory parade.

This family has come from Kharghar and are camped outside Trident Hotel. The 10-year-old boy Abhinav has bunked school to come to Marine Drive. His mother says he didn't sleep the entire night in excitement. Abhinav's 5-year-old sister is here too and can't wait to catch a glimpse of Rohit Sharma & Co.

Sale of Indian flags in full swing at Marine Drive. This vendor is selling these flags for Rs 300 each. Says he has sold more than 50 already and is expecting to sell more than a hundred more. 

All through the evening, The Indian Express' reporters Devendra Pandey, Mihir Vasavda, Anil Dias and Amit Kamath will be on the ground in Mumbai tracking the Indian team's procession at the victory parade. 

After the Indian cricket team's win at the T20 World Cup, former England captain Michael Vaughan has predicted them to win many more titles.

'My worry --- actually it's a concern --- is for the rest of the world now that India have won this trophy which has been hard for them to win. India have such a powerful squad. If you look at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan which will be held in similar conditions. The T20 World cup in 2026 will be held in Sri Lanka and India, we know what's going to go on. They're very powerful. They've now won a World Test Championship final yet despite being in the last two. I'm sure they will make the next final as well. This group of Indian players, I think, they could go on a bit of a roll. They could go on a real roll. If you look at Australia, they have a powerful team. They;re going to be continue to be powerful. England are going to go through a bit of a transitional period. New Zealand are going to go through a transition. Don't really need to mention Bangladesh. There are not many teams that I can look at that can go close to this Indian team.    

'India might have a --- and they should with the talent that they have --- they could have a few years of dominance, this Indian team,' said vaughan on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.

The stadium is completely empty at the moment except the lower stand of the Vijay Merchant pavilion -- the only stand with some shade -- where close to 100 cops are resting. Just in front of the sight screen near the pavilion, a dais with blue carpet is being prepared. There's a big #CHAMPIONS cutout kept in one corner. You can hear hundreds of fans chanting "Mumbai cha Raja, Rohit Sharma!" from one of the entrances. Still an hour at least before the gates open.

All through the evening, The Indian Express' reporters Devendra Pandey, Mihir Vasavda, Anil Dias and Amit Kamath will be on the ground in Mumbai tracking the Indian team's procession at the victory parade. 

After he met the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team at his residence on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a congratulatory message for the Indian team on his social media handles. 

"Today, 140 crore countrymen are feeling pride at your performance. In the sporting world, you've won a World Cup. But in every village, town and every street of India, you have won countless hearts. This tournament will be remembered for a special reason as well. You played against so many teams from so many countries but you went unbeaten to win the title. That's not a small achievement," Modi said in a video posted on his social media handles.   

The three young fans left from Dombivali early in the morning anticipating a lot of rush. Like a few others who are already here, they aren't keen to be inside Wankhede Stadium, expecting the parade to be far more thrilling, says Mihir Vasavda, who is making his way to the Wankhede Stadium.

Light barricading along the Marine Drive. Apart from traffic regulations, not many security restrictions except this warning/request.

Spotted at least 4 Virat Kohli jerseys so far. Team India hasn't reached Mumbai yet but fans starting to gather at Marine Drive, a good 3 hours before the parade begins, says Mihir Vasavda. 

As per visuals coming in from New Delhi, the players have arrived at the airport to fly out to Mumbai. 

In Mumbai, the Indian cricket team will have a heavy day. Here's what their schedule for the rest of the evening looks like: 

4 pm: Land at Mumbai and will take Volvo Buses

5 pm: Reach NCPA and board the Open-top Bus

5 to 7 pm: Open-top Bus Parade

7 to 7.30 pm: Felicitation function at Wankhede

Mumbai Police DCP Zone 1 Pravin Munde on Wednesday in a video statement said, “Indian cricket team is reaching Mumbai tomorrow after winning the T20 World Cup. A victory procession in an open bus is being held from 5-7 pm on Marine Drive between Nariman Point and Wankhede Stadium. If you want to attend the procession, kindly reach before 4:30 pm and assemble on the promenade side and not on the road. Also, a victory lap is being held in Wankhede Stadium at 7 pm. If you wish to attend that, please ensure you reach and be seated in the stadium before 6 pm. Kindly try to use the public transport system to avoid traffic congestion.”