NEW DELHI: Poornima's emotions were palpable as her son, Rohit Sharma, returned home triumphant after leading Team India to T20 World Cup glory. Poornima had waited anxiously all day for a glimpse of Rohit, who touched down in Delhi, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then expressed his gratitude to fans during a Victory Parade from Nariman Point to Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
When Rohit finally entered home, his mother was overcome with emotion. Rushing to the door, she hugged her son tightly and showered him with kisses. Her tears spoke volumes about her pride in her victorious son, who became only the second Indian captain, after Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2007, to lead the Men in Blue to a T20 World Cup title.
Poornima revealed that Rohit had contemplated retiring from T20Is regardless of the World Cup outcome.
1/10:T20 World Cup: Team India victory parade
ANI
2/10:PM Modi and Rohit Sharma
<p><br /><br />India's T20 World Cup winners returned home to a heroes' welcome, greeted by huge crowds of euphoric fans and praised by a grinning Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a private reception.<br /><br /><br /></p>PTI
3/10:Rohit Sharma
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Frenzied crowds shouted "India, India" after the team landed at Delhi airport from the Caribbean, having been delayed for days by Hurricane Beryl.</p>AP
4/10:Rohit Sharma
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The team waved to the crowds and danced to drums and live music at their hotel before heading off to meet Modi at his residence.</p>PTI
5/10:India champions
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Rohit and his team wore Indian jerseys emblazoned with "Champions", as broadcasters showed images of them posing with their trophy and the premier.</p>Agencies
6/10:Bus of champions
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Evening saw the team paraded in an open-topped bus through the financial capital Mumbai, the birthplace of India's cricket obsession, along a seafront route thronging with jubliant crowds.</p>Reuters
7/10:Wankhede Stadium
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">They took a victory lap in front of thousands more fans at Wankhede Stadium, the site of India's last World Cup win for the 50-over edition of the tournament in 2011. </p>AFP
8/10:Sea of fans
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Despite monsoon rain, crowds gathered outside New Delhi's airport long before dawn, waiting for a glimpse of their idols, who had beaten South Africa on Saturday in a thrilling final in Barbados.</p>AP
9/10:Rahul Dravid
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The final match marked a poignant milestone for Coach Rahul Dravid, 51, as it was his last game in charge. Dravid, who had experienced the disappointment of a lackluster 2007 World Cup campaign as a captain, redeemed himself as a coach, masterminding India's unbeaten run to the title. <br /></p>Reuters
10/10:Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Rohit, Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja all announced their retirement from T20 international cricket after the final.</p>PTIHowever, it all culminated perfectly for captain Rohit, who bid farewell to his T20I career on a high note.
“I have never thought I would see this day. Before going to the World Cup, he had come to meet us and said that he wanted to quit T20Is after this. I just said try to win. I was not feeling well and had a doctor’s appointment, but I still came as I wanted to see this day,” Poornima told The Indian Express.
“I can’t express my happiness. Look at the cheering. I have never experienced this kind of atmosphere. The amount of love he is getting is because of his hard work and dedication. I’m the happiest mother today,” she said.
Rohit announced his retirement from T20 internationals after leading the team to their second World Cup victory in the shortest format, describing it as the perfect time to bid adieu.
1/8:List of trophies won by Rohit Sharma
Getty Images
2/8:T20 World Cup 2024
<p>T20 World Cup triumph was all the more remarkable given the scale of the competition, which featured a record 20 teams vying for the coveted title. Under Rohit's astute leadership, India emerged as the undisputed champions, cementing their dominance in the shortest format of the game</p><br /><br />PTI
3/8:Rohit Sharma
<p>Rohit Sharma spearheaded an unstoppable Indian team to a historic victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. </p>AFP
4/8:IPL Trophy
<p>Rohit Sharma has cemented his status as one of the most successful captains in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, leading his team to a remarkable five title wins. This impressive achievement puts him on par with the legendary MS Dhoni, who also boasts five IPL titles as captain. </p>Agencies
5/8:Asia Cup
<p>Rohit Sharma led India to a resounding victory in two Asia Cup, clinching the title as captain and showcasing his leadership prowess. Under his guidance, the team displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, outperforming their opponents to emerge as champions.</p>Agencies
6/8:Champions Trophy
<p>Rohit Sharma led the Mumbai Indians to a thrilling victory in the 2013 Champions League T20, clinching the title with a impressive performance. This triumph marked a significant milestone in Rohit's career, showcasing his leadership skills and ability to perform under pressure.</p>Agencies
7/8:Champions League 2013
<p>Rohit Sharma's career as an opener began with a bang in the 2013 Champions Trophy, where he made a memorable debut in the role, helping India clinch the coveted title. His promotion to the top of the order proved to be a masterstroke, as he formed a formidable partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, and India went on to win the tournament, marking a triumphant start to Rohit's tenure as an opener.</p>Agencies
8/8:T20 World Cup 2007
<p>A youthful Rohit Sharma was part of the Indian team that made history by winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. The tournament, which marked the debut of the T20 format on the global stage, saw India emerge as champions, and Rohit, then just starting his international career, played a vital role in the team's success.<br /></p>AgenciesRohit joined his longtime teammate Virat Kohli, who also retired from T20Is minutes after India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final.
"This was also my last game. There couldn't have been a better time to say goodbye. I desperately wanted this trophy. It's hard to put into words. This is what I wanted, and it happened. I was very determined to achieve this in my life. I'm happy that we crossed the line this time," Rohit had expressed after India's triumph in the final.
Rohit concluded his T20I career with 4,231 runs from 159 matches, including five centuries and 32 fifties.
