Virat Kohli made a magnanimous gesture by asking the crowd to applaud Jasprit Bumrah during India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory celebration at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Kohli’s heartfelt praise summed up Bumrah’s pivotal role in securing India’s win over South Africa in the final.
“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,” Kohli remarked, emphasizing the critical impact Bumrah had during the match’s closing stages.
The former captain directed the crowd’s attention to Bumrah, seated among his teammates, and continued with high praise. “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…”
Bumrah, visibly emotional, later addressed the crowd, recalling his early days playing at the Wankhede Stadium and reflecting on the significance of the moment. “It feels amazing. This ground is really special in my life. As an under-19 kid, I came here to play cricket and what I saw today, I will never forget that,” Bumrah shared, his voice filled with emotion.
India’s journey to the T20 World Cup title was fraught with challenges, and Bumrah’s performance in the final was crucial. South Africa, needing just a run-a-ball to claim the title, found themselves thwarted by Bumrah’s masterful bowling in the last five overs. His calm under pressure and ability to deliver when it mattered most proved to be game-changing.
Reflecting on the team’s dynamic, Bumrah added, “The confidence that we have to take the game by the neck and pull us out of trouble is special. Our aim is to take Indian cricket forward. This World Cup gives us the motivation to go ahead and do it again…”
Throughout the tournament, Bumrah was supported by his wife and infant son. “Seeing my son, I started crying. I never usually cry after games, but my son was there to see me winning the World Cup and there are no words for that,” Bumrah said, his voice breaking amid the cheers from the crowd.
Kohli’s recognition of Bumrah as a once-in-a-generation player resonated with the audience and highlighted the bowler’s integral role in India’s success. As India celebrates its T20 World Cup victory, the accolades for Bumrah’s extraordinary contributions are well-deserved, marking him as a cornerstone of Indian cricket’s present and future.
