South Mumbai on Thursday witnessed unprecedented scenes as lakhs of jubilant fans thronged Marine Drive to celebrate Team India’s T20 World Cup triumph. An estimated 300,000 supporters gathered to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes during the victory parade.
The Mumbai police deployed around 5,000 personnel across Marine Drive and Wankhede Stadium to manage the massive crowd, but despite their efforts, several fans faced difficulties.
The joyous occasion was marred by incidents of injuries and health issues. Ten people were rushed to the nearest government hospital after experiencing various problems, including one fan who sustained a fracture and another who had trouble breathing, according to Mumbai police.
Eyewitness accounts of the chaotic celebration
Ravi Solanki, an eyewitness, recounted the chaos to news agency ANI: “I was coming from the office and came to know that the Indian team would reach here between 5 pm-6 pm which did not happen. The crowd progressively swelled. The police were not managing the situation. People suddenly started shouting, after which some people fell on each other. It was very unorganised. There was nobody to manage. The incident happened between 8.15-8.45 pm.”
The roadshow, stretching from Nariman Point to Wankhede Stadium, culminated in a grand felicitation ceremony organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the stadium.
Rishab Mahesh Yadav, a fan who fainted during the parade, shared his ordeal: “The crowd was overwhelming. I fell and got choked, losing consciousness. I was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and feel fine now. There was a severe lack of management, and the police were not vigilant.”
A celebration of triumph at Wankhede Stadium
Wankhede Stadium also recorded an influx of 40,000 fans, because the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s decided to allow free entry. During the BCCI event, India’s captain Rohit Sharma dedicated the T20 World Cup victory to the entire nation.
“The reception we’ve got here reflects the immense enthusiasm and anticipation people had. This trophy is for the entire nation. It belongs to all the players who have represented the country and the fans who have been yearning for this moment,” Rohit Sharma said.
“Mumbai never disappoints when it comes to celebrating victories. Bringing this trophy back to Wankhede feels incredibly special. The fans have waited 13 years for a World Cup triumph, and finally, it’s here. I’m very happy and relieved,” he said.
India’s historic victory in Barbados
India’s triumph over South Africa in the final was a match to remember. Opting to bat first, India set a formidable target of 176/7 in 20 overs, with Virat Kohli leading the charge with a stellar 76 off 59 balls. Despite a valiant effort, South Africa managed 169/8 in their 20 overs. Hardik Pandya’s remarkable performance (3/20) in the final over sealed India’s win by successfully defending 15 runs.
This victory ended India’s 11-year International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy drought, their last major title being the Champions Trophy in 2013 under MS Dhoni’s leadership. The Men in Blue showcased nerves of steel to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat, sending the nation into a jubilant frenzy.
First Published: Jul 05 2024 | 10:59 AM IST
