Team India T20 World Cup 2024 victory parade: Until next time, India!

The face of this Indian team laughed, sang, danced, and even seemed to tear up!

For Rohit Sharma, the only thing that could come close to lifting the World Cup trophy was celebrating it with the fans in his hometown.

Hundreds of thousands crammed Mumbai's Marine Drive since Thursday afternoon to witness the triumphal parade in Team India's honour, with another 20,000 or so filling the sea-facing promenade for a rally filled with emotional moments.

Sharma was the unquestioned star of the show, drawing the loudest cheers from start to finish, usually chants of ‘Ro-Ro' and ‘Rohit Sharma Zindabad'. There were signs that read ‘Rohit ne kar dikhaya' (Rohit showed how it is done) and cut-out letters that spelled ‘Thank you Rohit'.

Led by Sharma himself, the team, visibly fatigued yet invigorated by the festive atmosphere, embraced the jubilant atmosphere as they waved to throngs of fans lining the Wankhede ground despite persistent rain. For the captain, this day held the promise of being exceptionally memorable as it evoked memories of a comparable procession held in Mumbai nearly 17 years ago, following India's scintillating triumph over arch-rivals Pakistan in the inaugural 2007 World T20 final in South Africa.

"Na jaane yeh din phir aur kab dikhne ko mile! Yeh din bahut bahut special hai…saare bharatiyo ke liye. Aisa lag raha hai final idhar hi huya tha, humare Mumbai mein. Jis tarah se inhone hum sabko pyaar diye, samman diye, isse yeh dikhlata hai ki yeh team aur aage jaayegi. Hum sabka saath hamesha aap log se jure honge (Who knows when this day will come again! This day feels very special for all Indians. It feels like they played the final match here in Mumbai. The manner in which they (players) showered their love on us, it shows they will go places. We will always be with you, Team India!" 51-year-old Sayyed Abir Khurshid told Mid-Day.

"Who cares about the rain? Nothing holds dear more than this special parade. This truly is India's Independence Day. We are all so lucky to witness this live. My dad has always told me stories about the 2011 final, now I also have something to tell my kids about when I have them (laughs)," said Mayur Lalwani, a 21-year-old college student.

Mumbai's infamous drizzle did little to dampen the spirits of those like Lalwani, who came decked up in various shades of blue, from light to oxford to azure and even contemporary blue and so on.

The parade commenced from the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) at Nariman Point, resonating with the anthemic strains of A.R. Rahman's ‘Team India Hai Hum' from Maidaan echoing through the streets. Fathers hoisted their young sons onto their shoulders, while thousands others brandished placards, waved the national flag, vying for a glimpse of their sporting idols. The lively scene was further animated by the sound of vuvuzelas blown enthusiastically by young supporters, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

The anticipated numbers thronging the streets, a notoriously unpredictable measure, were estimated between 50,100 to 1,00,000. Yet, the influence of inclement weather on the crowd's size remained undeterred.

"The weather could have been better, it's not easy to come with three kids by train all the way from Thane to Churchgate, but they insisted on coming. They're die-hard cricket fans, and it's heartening to witness the players enjoying themselves. They've truly made us proud," said Rishi Aggarwal, a 34-year-old techie, while showcasing a poster of his favourite player MS Dhoni holding aloft the Champions Trophy.

Sharma, radiating joviality, led others in spirited renditions of cricket chants broadcast from loudspeakers mounted on the bus. His friendly interaction with the crowd underscored the deep bond between the team and their loyalists, creating lasting memories of unity and celebration.

The scenes of celebration continued late into the night, with supporters lingering at the Marine Drive, savouring the momentous occasion. For many, this parade symbolised more than just a sporting victory, it embodied the spirit of togetherness and the enduring passion for cricket that binds generations together.

Some cried, some bowed, some danced with unrestrained jubilation. Until next time, India!