World Cup 2023 Final: PM Narendra Modi consoles Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, lifts mood in Indian dressing room
Prime Minister Narendra Modi consoled the Indian players, including captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, lifting the morale.
In the camp by visiting the dressing room in Ahmedabad after the World Cup 2023 final. India lost the big-ticket final to Australia as their sensational run in the tournament at home came to a startling halt.
PM Narendra Modi was seen comforting skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, patting their backs in the dressing room. PM Modi was also spotted speaking to head coach Rahul Dravid, who played a key role in one of India’s memorable, yet heartbreaking World Cup campaigns. Minister of Home Affairs of India, Amit Shah, was also seen with PM Modi in the dressing room at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which hosted the ultimate battle on Sunday, November 19.
PM Modi penned a heartfelt message to the team, saying that the entire country is proud of India’s campaign in the World Cup and that they stood by the team in the difficult moment.
“Dear Team India, Your talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You’ve played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation. We stand with you today and always,” PM Modi said in a social media post, while also congratulating the Australian team for their heroics at one of the biggest stages of world cricket.
PM Modi handed over the World Cup trophy to Australia captain Pat Cummins during his appearance at the victory ceremony of the World Cup final.
Earlier in the day, Raivndra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami talked up the impact that PM Modi’s visit to the dressing room had right after the heartbreaking loss in the final. The Prime Minister was seen embracing an emotional Shami, who picked up 24 wickets in 7 matches in a sensational campaign in World Cup 2023.
PM Modi has been particular about honoring Indian athletes and motivating them by acknowledging their efforts at the biggest stages of sport. After the Tokyo Olympics, the Commonwealth Games last year and Asian Games this year, PM Modi hosted the Indian athletes and lauded their role in doing the nation proud.
India played ruthless cricket, winning all their 10 matches, including the semi-final against New Zealand, but faltered in the final hurle. Managing just 240 on the board after they were sent into bat on a dry pitch, India failed to defend the total. A sensational hundred from Travis Head sealed the big final for Australia,who won the World Cup for the 6th time in men’s cricket history.
Head coach Rahul Dravid spoke about the emotions in the dressing room, saying it was hard for the players and himself to let the feeling of the defeat sink in.