Journey of Team India’s Two Meetings with PM Narendra Modi: Gloomy November 19 to Jubilant July 4

The Indian men’s cricket team saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his house today, and while it was a bizarre show of pride and delight the previous time they shared a room, it was the locker room in Ahmedabad, which was filled with an atmosphere of sadness, heartbreak, and upset.

The previous encounter occurred in the Indian team’s locker room on November 19, 2017, when the Men in Blue, despite ten convincing wins, were unable to overcome Australia in the ODI World Cup at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

The entire country was devastated by the loss because, after such an extraordinary display of dominance, India had not only lost a World Cup, but had also lost at home to Australia, India’s bitter rivals who had caused India many heartaches over the course of their roughly 75-year rivalry.

After the post-match presentations, the tearful-eyed players headed to their dressing rooms to fully express their emotions as the wait for the next ICC trophy—after the Champions Trophy win in 2013—crossed ten years. This was because, again, despite giving it their all, they were unable to cross the finish line.

PM Modi came to cheer up the country’s most valued and revered group of youngsters at these terrible circumstances. He approached each player individually, giving them a hug or a handshake, consoling them with words of support, and urging them to maintain their positive attitude.

He visited two of the biggest cricket talents in the nation, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, offering them comfort by stating, “It happens, you have won 10 games straight,” and advising them to support one another’s spirits. The two legends had no idea that a few months later, they would be in an entirely different place.

By the year 2024, things have permanently changed. Men in Blue went from having dejected, grim looks following a loss in Ahmedabad to being the world’s unbeaten T20 champions upon their return to India. They had to overcome many challenging opponents, conditions, grounds, and match scenarios in order to win the championship trophy.

The athletes’ expressions are ones of excitement, celebration, and pride. With stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and head coach Rahul Dravid—whose path to immortality and grandeur was halted by Australia just seven months ago—the team is relieved to have finally secured a World Cup together.

The nation’s potential was ultimately realized in the Caribbean, which ironically happened to be the scene of one of the most tragic chapters in Indian cricket history—a first-round elimination from the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Also Read: India Wins A Nail-Biting Thriller Against South Africa to Win The ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Men in Blue completed an incredible white-ball cricket treble under MS Dhoni, winning the T20 World Cup (2007), ICC Cricket World Cup (2011), and ICC Champions Trophy (2013) consecutively following this humbling defeat under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy. At last, Dravid—who was captain at the time—came home with his first major international cricket trophy in his new role as coach.

Players were spotted giggling and chatting happily with the Prime Minister after their victory in the T20 World Cup as they discussed the competition. The trophy was held by the prime minister, Rohit, coach Dravid, and the entire squad of players and coaches as they posed for a photo.

‘Men in Blue’ sported a special jersey with two stars over the BCCI insignia for their meeting with the Prime Minister. The two T20 World Cup victories were symbolized by the stars. ‘CHAMPIONS’ was inscribed in strong letters on the jersey.

The Indian squad that won the T20 World Cup arrived in the nation’s capital earlier today, and the supporters welcomed them with open arms, hoping to get a glimpse of their idols and the trophy.

As Hurricane Beryl reached Barbados, the winning team, the support personnel, their families, and the media were stranded there. They finally boarded the special airplane on Wednesday that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had arranged.

As Team India arrived at the ITC Maurya Hotel, they celebrated the historic victory by cutting a special cake adorned with the T20 World Cup trophy.

The Rohit-led team is set to celebrate a moment that the country has experienced after 13 long years with an open-top bus trip in Mumbai at Marine Drive and the famous Wankhede Stadium starting at 5:00 pm, as many winning teams do across all sports.