Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with the Indian team which won the ICC T20 World Cup in West Indies was filled with encouragement and immense interest. After the team landed in New Delhi on Thursday, the players were invited to the Lok Kalyan Marg office, where the PM took time off from his busy schedule.
“You showed team spirt, talent and patience,” said Mr Modi, as he spoke one on one to the players and outgoing coach Rahul Dravid. The Prime Minister talked of how he worked late at night and his TV was on, a clear message that he followed the exploits of the team at the World Cup.
Dravid thanked the Prime Minister profusely. “Thanks for inviting us and giving us your valuable time,” he said. “You came to meet us in November, after the World Cup final. Now we are again meeting you.”
The coach spoke of how this current team has learnt a lot from the 2011 Indian team which won the World Cup. “These boys saw 2011 as motivational and now they will set an example for the future generation,” said Dravid. “They have worked very hard and will inspire future boys and girls in India.”
After a long conversation with the team members, PM Modi told Dravid how importance should be paid to cricket in the Olympics in 2028 when it is held in Los Angeles. “I am sure the BCCI will do a good job in preparation,” said Dravid in response. “For us, cricketers, the Olympics is a big dream.” For the record, the men’s team won gold at the Asian Games last year in Hangzhou, China.
Speaking to Rishabh Pant, who survived a terrible road accident in December 2022 and was out for more than a year, the Prime Minister said he had been following all his social media posts. “I used to keep seeing what you were posting,” he said. “I had called your mother after the accident and told her if you (Pant) needed to travel abroad, we would do the needful.”
Pant recalled how he recovered from the accident and rebuilt his career. “After my accident, it was very tough,” said an emotional Pant. “You had called my mother, my mother told me. I knew I would play cricket again and bat. But to keep wickets and prove myself again and win for India was amazing.”
PM Modi showered more praise on Pant when he said: “You never gave an excuse for the accident. You have done tapasya (penance).”
Suryakumar Yadav spoke to the Prime Minister about his game-turning catch in the final over. “At that moment, I never thought whether I would take the catch,” he said. “It was like, I would save runs. I ran and we had practiced a lot for these catches. I wanted to save runs but when the ball came in my hand, I did what was needed. We practice almost taking 150 catches a day doing this.”
In response, PM Modi quipped: “You are a very lucky man.”
When Axar Patel spoke, there was some humour. After all, he had also taken a great catch in an earlier match. “Most of the time, this catch would have gone away,” said Axar.
“Amul ka doodh kaam kar rahaa hai [Amul milk is doing its work],” replied PM Modi with a smile, referencing the fact that Axar was born in Anand, where the dairy giant has its headquarters.
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