New Delhi/Mumbai, Celebrations erupted across cricket-mad India on Saturday night as their team won the T20 World Cup, with fans flooding the streets with the tricolor in their hands.
Chants of "India, India" rang through the air as crowds gathered in city centers in different parts of the country to cheer on the "Men in Blue".
Whether it was Jammu, Hyderabad, Patna or Pune, people were seen hugging and dancing as the nation's 13-year wait for a world title ended for millions of cricket fans, who religiously follow the game and idolize its players.
Soon after India defeated South Africa in a thrilling match in Barbados, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said cricketers had won the hearts of millions of Indians.
"CHAMPIONS! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in STYLE! We are proud of the Indian cricket team," he said on X, calling the match historic.
As soon as the match ended in Barbados, around 11:30 p.m. IST, joyous fans flooded the streets and burst firecrackers as the cricket-loving nation reveled in glory, with celebrations continuing for hours after midnight.
In Delhi, a large number of people gathered at India Gate to celebrate the occasion.
At the Mumbai airport, fans were seen dancing to the beat of drums and on the roads, many revelers climbed onto vehicles. The streets of Calcutta were lit up with firecrackers and shouts and whistles of irrepressible fans. In Bengaluru, many fans dressed in Team India attire were seen dancing in pubs and open-air restaurants.
Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages and images of celebratory scenes as the star-studded Indian team beat South Africa by seven runs in a see-saw final that went down to the wire.
"We are very excited. I was a kid the last time we won. My throat hurts from screaming, but we will celebrate for two days," said one cricket fan.
In Jammu, young and old celebrated with fireworks and chants of ''Bharat Mata ki Jai." "The entire country is celebrating. "It's like a Diwali for us," said a reveler.
Euphoric scenes were witnessed in front of the state secretariat in Hyderabad as fireworks dazzled the sky. People climbed into trucks, cars and other vehicles that honked happily.
Many praised the contribution of all the players in the Indian team and coach Rahul Dravid.
In an emotional message on India gets the fourth star, the second in @T20WorldCup.
"Life comes full circle for Indian cricket in the West Indies. From our lows in the 2007 ODI World Cup to becoming a cricket powerhouse and winning the T20WC in 2024. Very happy for my friend Rahul Dravid who missed the 2011 World Cup. win, but his contribution to this victory in the T20 World Cup has been immense. I am very happy for him...
"It was wonderful to see Team India excel under the leadership of this class of '96. A total team effort. Hearty congratulations to all the players, coaches, support staff and @BCCI," he said.
Chants of "India, India" rang through the air as crowds gathered in city centers in different parts of the country to cheer on the "Men in Blue".
Whether it was Jammu, Hyderabad, Patna or Pune, people were seen hugging and dancing as the nation's 13-year wait for a world title ended for millions of cricket fans, who religiously follow the game and idolize its players.
Soon after India defeated South Africa in a thrilling match in Barbados, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said cricketers had won the hearts of millions of Indians.
"CHAMPIONS! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in STYLE! We are proud of the Indian cricket team," he said on X, calling the match historic.
As soon as the match ended in Barbados, around 11:30 p.m. IST, joyous fans flooded the streets and burst firecrackers as the cricket-loving nation reveled in glory, with celebrations continuing for hours after midnight.
In Delhi, a large number of people gathered at India Gate to celebrate the occasion.
At the Mumbai airport, fans were seen dancing to the beat of drums and on the roads, many revelers climbed onto vehicles. The streets of Calcutta were lit up with firecrackers and shouts and whistles of irrepressible fans. In Bengaluru, many fans dressed in Team India attire were seen dancing in pubs and open-air restaurants.
Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages and images of celebratory scenes as the star-studded Indian team beat South Africa by seven runs in a see-saw final that went down to the wire.
"We are very excited. I was a kid the last time we won. My throat hurts from screaming, but we will celebrate for two days," said one cricket fan.
In Jammu, young and old celebrated with fireworks and chants of ''Bharat Mata ki Jai." "The entire country is celebrating. "It's like a Diwali for us," said a reveler.
Euphoric scenes were witnessed in front of the state secretariat in Hyderabad as fireworks dazzled the sky. People climbed into trucks, cars and other vehicles that honked happily.
Many praised the contribution of all the players in the Indian team and coach Rahul Dravid.
In an emotional message on India gets the fourth star, the second in @T20WorldCup.
"Life comes full circle for Indian cricket in the West Indies. From our lows in the 2007 ODI World Cup to becoming a cricket powerhouse and winning the T20WC in 2024. Very happy for my friend Rahul Dravid who missed the 2011 World Cup. win, but his contribution to this victory in the T20 World Cup has been immense. I am very happy for him...
"It was wonderful to see Team India excel under the leadership of this class of '96. A total team effort. Hearty congratulations to all the players, coaches, support staff and @BCCI," he said.
