Team India Victory Parade: Virat Kohli recalls his emotional moment with Rohit Sharma after winning T20 World Cup Final

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on top of the open bus carrying trophy at the Team India Victory Parade in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)

During the felicitation ceremony at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, Virat Kohli shared a deeply touching moment with Rohit Sharma. In their fifteen-year partnership, Kohli had never seen Rohit so visibly moved until the Indian captain embraced him with tears in his eyes following their T20 World Cup victory.

"This is the first time in 15 years that I've seen Rohit show so much emotion. When we were climbing those steps at Kensington Oval, he was crying, and I was too," Kohli expressed during the ceremony after an unforgettable victory parade on an open bus.

As the Indian team reveled in their triumph, Kohli reflected on a statement he had made on that very ground when he was just 21 years old. Back then, he had suggested, "It was only fair to carry the maestro Sachin Tendulkar on our shoulders after he had carried the burden of Indian cricket for 21 years."

Fast forward to today, Kohli, now 35 and recently retired from the shortest format, found himself standing once again on that revered pitch. "I hope we, Rohit and I, have shouldered that burden well, and there's no better place to bring this trophy back than here at Wankhede," he remarked. Kohli had realized during the innings break of the final that this would be his last game. "Halfway through the game, I knew it was time to let the next generation take over," he added, echoing sentiments he had expressed immediately after the final.

As the youngest member of the class of 2011, Virat Kohli had witnessed the emotional farewell of his senior teammates, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, and Yuvraj Singh. At the time, he may not have fully grasped the depth of their feelings and tears.

"I couldn't understand the emotions of those senior players who cried that night, but now I do," said the current elder statesman of the Indian cricket team.

On a lighter note, when the program's emcee, Gaurav Kapoor, humorously asked, "I'm thinking of starting a petition to declare Jasprit Bumrah a national treasure. Would you sign it?" Kohli promptly responded, "I'll sign it right now."

"Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation player, and I'm so glad he plays for us," Kohli emphasized.

Jasprit Bumrah found himself amidst an extraordinary spectacle. "This ground is truly special. I came here as a kid, and what I witnessed today, I've never seen anything like it."

"Seeing my son today made me emotional. I couldn't find words. I told my wife that I wanted our son to see me play," Bumrah reflected on the overwhelming experience.

Rahul Dravid, the departing coach, shared a similar sentiment. "I'm going to miss this affection. What I witnessed on the streets tonight, I won't forget," he declared in a hoarse voice, having lost it while screaming in excitement during the parade.