It was an emotional moment when Rohit Sharma walked up to the president’s box at the Wankhede Stadium to meet his parents, with his mother having skipped an appointment with the doctor to be present at the special moment.
Being surrounded by hordes of selfie-hunters, Sharma had to request them for some privacy as he was meeting his parents after a long time.
For his mother Poornima, it was a moment not to be missed. The family had waited for this day and she revealed how she skipped a visit to the doctor to come and see her son.
“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 today 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.”
As Sharma took a lap of honour around Wankhede Stadium, the president’s box was filled with nostalgia. Former MCA secretary PV Shetty had called every resident of the Sportsline Society where Rohit grew up in his formative years.
Mumbai: The T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma holding the championship trophy acknowledges fans during their open bus victory parade, in Mumbai, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Cricketers Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube are also seen. (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade)
“We came here as sir (PV Shetty) said we all should go. He took all of us. I was young when I saw Rohit winning the 2007 (ICC World T20) title but this one is special. The huge cheer he got shows how much Mumbai loves him,” his brother Vishal said.
It has been a long time since the bus ride Sharma had after returning from the 2007 edition in South Africa, but for Sportsline residents, it is the same Rohit Sharma.
“The best part about him is that he hasn’t changed. The way he met everyone today and took pictures was just like the old days. He is the same old Rohit and not Rohit Sharma, the India captain,” Shetty said.
Poornima was elated as many people got to know her identity, and a few asked for selfies with her.
“What more can I ask now! This day won’t come again in life. As he was taking the lap of honour, it was an emotional moment as he has been playing for a day like this,” she added.
The long flight from Barbados and the hectic schedule since they landed in India early Thursday morning had left the players fatigued, but the energy and passion of the crowd left Sharma much impressed as chants of “Mumbaicha Raja? Rohit Sharma” (Who’s the King of Mumbai? Rohit Sharma) reverberated around Maximum City.
“The huge turnout of fans to welcome us shows they were as desperate for this T20 World Cup title as we were,” he said at the stadium. “The win has brought smiles on the faces of crores of people. This is a special team and this trophy belongs to the nation.”
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