(Source X)
The vibrant Wankhede Stadium buzzed with exhilaration as throngs of fans gathered to revel in India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, following a celebratory parade through Mumbai.
Amid the festive atmosphere, Virat Kohli lauded Jasprit Bumrah in his address. The Indian fast bowler’s stellar performance with the ball proved pivotal in securing the T20 World Cup 2024 victory for the Indian cricket team.
In crucial moments throughout the tournament, Jasprit Bumrah emerged as India’s savior, consistently delivering match-winning performances. Even in the tense final against South Africa, with the opposition needing 30 runs from the last 30 deliveries, Bumrah’s spell turned the tide in India’s favor after Rohit Sharma entrusted him with the ball for two crucial overs. He conceded only six runs and dismissed Marco Jansen, bolstering India’s chances.
Bumrah, along with Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, displayed remarkable composure under pressure, sealing India’s victory in the ICC World Cup after a 13-year wait. This triumph marked India’s first ICC title in 11 years.
Finishing the tournament as the third-highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps, Bumrah maintained an exceptional economy rate of just 4.17. His stellar performances rightfully earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament accolade.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli declared Jasprit Bumrah a “national treasure” and the “8th Wonder of the World” during the facilitation ceremony at the packed Wankhede Stadium on June 4. When the presenter, Kunal Kapoor, asked if he would sign a petition to declare Bumrah the eighth wonder of the world and the national treasure, Kohli promptly said “yes”.
Virat Kohli said at the felicitation ceremony: “I’ll sign the petition for Jasprit Bumrah. He is a once-in-a-generation bowler. Like everyone in the stadium here, we also felt at one point if it is going to slip away again, but what happened in those last five overs was truly, truly special.
You know what I’d like everyone to do is applaud a guy who brought us back into games again and again and again in this tournament. What he did in those last five overs, bowling two out of the last five overs, was phenomenal. A huge round of applause for Jasprit Bumrah, please. A huge shoutout to Jasprit Bumrah. We are lucky that he plays for us.”
Significantly, Virat Kohli’s pivotal innings of 76 runs during the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa played a crucial role in India’s historic triumph in Barbados on June 29. Following the trophy win, Kohli announced his retirement from T20I cricket, a decision later echoed by Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.
Despite his challenges earlier in the T20 World Cup 2024, Kohli will continue to feature in ODI and Test cricket for India. Similarly, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja will remain available for both international formats as well as the IPL.
