Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the T20 World Cup 2024 winning Indian team in Delhi on Thursday and congratulated the team for their victorious campaign stating that they have brought immense joy to the country by winning the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean.
“I welcome you all, and it is a great matter of pride that you have given the country so much happiness and I congratulate you all," said PM Modi to kickstart the interaction.
“Generally, I work late, but on the day (final match day) the TV was on and the files were also moving, so it was tough to concentrate. “You showed great team spirit and talent, and what I noticed was the patience you guys had. I could see the confidence in you guys and congratulate you all for the victory".
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Rahul Dravid Remembers How PM Modi Was with the Team After 2023 Final Loss
Outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid was the first to speak during the interaction and he thanked PM Modi for his support, specifically pointing out how the Prime Minister met the team after the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. “First of all, I like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet us. In November (last year) when we lost in Ahmedabad, you came there, when it was hard for us; and we are happy that we are able to meet you today on such a happy occasion."
“I can only say Rohit and the boys showed tremendous fighting spirit and never say die attuite in all the game, including the final as well. All credit to the boys, they worked hard for it. These boys have inspired the young generation the same way they were inspired by the 2011 victory. I just want to congratulate the boys," said Dravid.
Virat Kohli Opens Up About His Struggles
Kohli opened up on his struggles during an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had invited India’s world cup winning squad at his official residence on Thursday morning.
“First of all, thank you so much for inviting us," Kohli said. “This day (T20 World Cup final) will always stay with me because during the entire tournament, I wasn’t able to contribute to the level as I wanted to (for the team).
He continued, “There was a point when I told Rahul bhai that I am not doing justice to myself and the team so far. He replied ‘when the situation demands, I am confident you will perform’. So the kind of tournament I had, I wasn’t confident that I will be able to bat the way I wanted to during the final."
Kohli revealed the chat he had with Rohit during the final of the T20 World Cup against South Africa after he clattered three boundaries in the very first over of the match, bowled by Marco Jansen.
“So when I struck three fours in four deliveries so I told Rohit that ‘What a game this is! One day you feel like not being able to score a single run and then there’s another when everything starts working out. So, when we lost three wickets, I had to surrender myself to the situation. I was only focused on what’s important for the team," Kohli recalled.
I remember that you called my mother and said everything would be fine: Rishabh Pant
Complimenting Pant for his extraordinary recovery from the life-threatening accident that took place in December 2022, PM Modi said, “You are a big inspiration to all."
Describing his recovery phase, Pant said, “…1.5 years ago, I was going through a very difficult phase. I remember that you called my mother and said everything would be fine, it was then I became a little calm mentally. After that, during recovery, I used to hear from people whether I would ever be able to play cricket or not, so for the last 1.5 years, I was thinking that I should come back to the field and do better than what I was doing."
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