Millions of Indians rejoiced on Monday following the national cricket team’s historic victory in the T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli hailed the performance as “phenomenal,” marking India’s triumphant win as they claimed the title for the third time.
The final, held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, saw India dominate New Zealand by 96 runs in front of a capacity crowd of 86,000. This victory makes India the first team to secure the trophy on home soil and the first to retain it, solidifying their status as the most successful team in T20 World Cup history.
Indian media celebrated the team’s impressive achievement, with the mass-circulation Times of India describing it as a rewriting of history in “bold strokes.” The publication emphasized that India didn’t just win the title but “strolled to it,” dubbing the event a coronation rather than a mere final.
Additionally, the Indian Express noted that this marked the first time India had secured a major championship without a “larger-than-life megastar.” The coach, Gautam Gambhir, received credit for instilling belief in the team and was referred to as the “architect” of their success.
Cricket holds a special place in India’s culture, deeply ingrained in its social fabric. The sport unites fans across the diverse nation, and players often receive hero-like status.
As the victory became apparent late Sunday, thousands of fans gathered at Delhi’s India Gate, waving tricolored flags, drumming, and dancing to popular Bollywood music. Celebrations spilled out onto the streets, with drivers joining the revelry around the monument. This jubilant scene echoed throughout cities and villages nationwide.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar praised the Indian team as “totally deserving and rightful winners.” He highlighted their “fantastic performance” and the fearless style of cricket they showcased during the tournament. Sharing a photo of fans at his Mumbai residence, Tendulkar noted the celebration happening across the country despite his absence.
Fans also thronged outside the Ahmedabad stadium, a site of previous disappointment for India during the 2023 50-over World Cup final. Supporters expressed hope for continued success, as expressed by Akshay, a 35-year-old engineer, who anticipated victories in future tournaments. Daval Shah, another fan, reflected on the team’s dominant performance, despite acknowledging it was somewhat one-sided. He recalled the prior heartbreak against Australia, stating that the team’s recent victory helped to “break the jinx.”
Kohli, who recently announced his retirement from T20 cricket after the championship win, called the team’s performance “phenomenal.” He emphasized that their style of explosive cricket throughout the tournament was unmatched.