AFTER THE World Cup ultimate loss on Sunday, the dissatisfied Indian dressing room received a shock customer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after handing the winners’ trophy to Australian skipper Pat Cummins, dropped by to console and encourage captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid’s heartbroken group whose 10-game imperious World Cup march was halted within the sport they comprehensively misplaced by six wickets.
These current on the interplay mentioned Modi, after addressing the Indian group, sought out particular person gamers to have a phrase with them.
#CricketTwitter #CWC23Final
After loss, a PM Modi pep speak in dressing room: ‘Performed effectively, tried arduous’
✍️ @pdevendra
📽️- (PMO)https://t.co/W6ptyfOsRc pic.twitter.com/TULPnPJktl
— Specific Sports activities (@IExpressSports) November 21, 2023
Mohammad Shami, the event’s main wicket-taker and the pacer chargeable for triggering a frenzy on the stadium together with his lethal spell, would later tweet an image of him resting his head on the Prime Minister’s shoulder. Of his 24 wickets on this World Cup, just one got here within the ultimate in opposition to Australia.
“The Prime Minister informed us that since all of us had given our 100 per cent, we shouldn’t be dissatisfied. He mentioned win or loss wasn’t in a single’s hand, what was vital was we performed effectively and tried arduous,” mentioned a group member on the situation of anonymity.
Shami took to social media and mentioned he was grateful for the help the group received throughout the World Cup. “Sadly yesterday was not our day. I want to thank all Indians for supporting our group and me all through the event. Grateful to PM @narendramodi for specifically coming to the dressing room and elevating our spirits. We are going to bounce again!” he posted on X.
Jadeja additionally acknowledged how the nation stood by the group that misplaced within the ultimate. “We had an amazing event however we ended up quick yesterday. We’re all heartbroken however the help of our folks is protecting us going. PM @narendramodi’s go to to the dressing room yesterday was particular and really motivating.”
Modi watched the motion from the bottom throughout the second innings with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. Additionally current was House Minister Amit Shah.
Earlier than Modi’s arrival within the dressing room, coach Dravid had a chat with the group. He pointed to the positives and suggested the gamers to maneuver on. Along with his teaching contract ending with the World Cup, Dravid and the Indian board officers might be in talks within the coming days earlier than a ultimate choice on his task is taken.
Story continues under this advert
In his post-match press convention, the seemingly drained out Dravid mentioned he was undecided about his future as India coach. “Truthfully, I haven’t considered it. I believe all our marketing campaign, all our energies have been centered on this match, centered on this event, and centered until right here. And I haven’t really given it any thought. I’ve no plans of what’s going to occur sooner or later,” he said.
He additionally shared the temper of the dressing room. “He’s (Rohit) dissatisfied, as are lots of the boys within the dressing room. There was lots of emotion in that dressing room. It was robust to see as a coach, as a result of I understand how arduous these guys have labored, what they’ve put in, the sacrifices they’ve made. So, it’s robust. It’s robust to see that as a coach, since you get to know these boys personally. You get to see the hassle they put in, the arduous work that we’ve put in over the past month.”
After the sport, Rohit was seen hiding his teary face underneath the cap. Mohammad Siraj, dragging his toes, additionally broke down.