“This is the first time in 15 years that I have seen Rohit show so much emotion.When we were climbing those steps (at Kensington Oval) he was crying and I was crying,” Kohli said, as quoted by PTI, during the ceremony after a memorable open bus victory parade.
As the Indian team celebrated their triumph, Kohli’s mind wandered back to a statement he had made on this very ground when he was just 21 years old. At that time, he had declared, “it was only fair to carry the maestro Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders after he carried the burden of Indian cricket for 21 years.”
Fast forward to the present day, with Kohli now 35 and having recently announced his retirement from the shortest format, he found himself standing on the same revered pitch.
“I hope we (Rohit and I) have carried the burden and no better to bring it (trophy) back here (Wankhede),” said Kohli, who knew during the innings break of the final that this was his last game.
“Halfway through the game I knew it it was time and let the next generation take over,”added Kohli, sharing a sentiment that he had voiced after the final as well.
As the most junior player in the class of 2011, Virat Kohli witnessed the emotional outpouring from his senior teammates, Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, and Yuvraj Singh. At the time, he may not have fully grasped the significance of their tears and the depth of their feelings.
“I couldn’t connect with the emotions of the senior players who cried that night but now I do,” said Indian cricket team‘s current elder statesman.
On a lighter note, when the programme emcee Gaurav Kapoor asked “I am thinking of signing a petition to declare Jasprit Bumrah as a national treasure. Will you sign it?”
“I will sign it right now,” pat came the reply from the legend.
“Bumrah is a once in a generation player and so glad he plays for us,” Kohli said.
Jasprit Bumrah found himself in the midst of an extraordinary spectacle.
“This ground is really special. Came here as a kid and what I saw today I have never seen something like this.
“Seeing my son, I was emotional and I didn’t have words. Told my wife that I wanted to see my son (see me playing).”
Rahul Dravid, the departing coach, expressed a similar opinion.
“I am going to miss this love. What I saw on streets tonight, I won’ forget it,” he said in a hoarse voice, having lost it while screaming in excitement through the parade.
