India’s T20 World Cup triumph was hailed by former cricket players on Sunday as inspiring the next generation, after Rohit Sharma and his team ended the country’s global trophy drought.
Virat Kohli hit a match-winning 76 to set up India’s seven-run win over South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados on Saturday, before he and Rohit announced their retirement from T20 internationals.
The title victory comes after more than a decade of heartbreaks in knockout matches of International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments and their last crown at the 2013 Champions Trophy.
The cricket-crazy country erupted with midnight celebrations as fans in blue Indian shirts on cars and bikes took to the streets across cities including the capital New Delhi.
“One Nation, One Joy,” blazed the front page of the Times of India newspaper.
“Finally, India’s final,” said the Indian Express daily.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s captain for their first T20 World Cup triumph in 2007, praised the team for holding their nerve in a tense finale.
“Word Cup Champions 2024. My heart rate was up, well done on being calm, having the self-belief and doing what you guys did,” Dhoni wrote on social media.
“From all the Indians back home, and everywhere in the world, a big thank you for bringing the World Cup home.”
