Following Team India’s heartbreaking loss at the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cheered up the ‘Men in Blue’.
PM Modi consoled the Indian players, including captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, lifting the morale in the camp by visiting the dressing room in Ahmedabad after the World Cup 2023 final. India lost the big-ticket final to Australia as their sensational run in the tournament at home came to a startling halt.
In a video shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi is seen motivating Rohit Sharma’s side and said that the country is with them. He also said that they had worked hard in the tournament.
PM Narendra Modi was seen comforting skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, patting their backs in the dressing room.
PM Modi was also spotted speaking to head coach Rahul Dravid, who played a key role in one of India’s memorable, yet heartbreaking World Cup campaigns. Minister of Home Affairs of India, Amit Shah, was also seen with PM Modi in the dressing room at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which hosted the ultimate battle on Sunday, November 19.
“You people have won 10 consecutive games. This one loss is normal, it keeps on happening. Please smile, the entire country is watching you. I just thought that I should go and meet you people,” PM Modi said inside India’s dressing room.
PM Modi also hailed Indian speedster Mohammed Shami and said that he had done well at the ODI World Cup 2023.
“Well done Shami. You played really well this time,” PM Modi on Shami.
Modi also asked the team to ‘stick together’ in this difficult time following their six-wicket loss against Australia in the finals.
While concluding, the Prime Minister cordially invited the squad to Delhi and asked them to meet again.
“You guys have worked really hard and played exceptionally well. Just stick together and keep on motivating each other. Also, whenever you are free and are in Delhi then let’s meet again. You all are cordially invited from my side,” he concluded.
During PM Modi’s visit to the dressing room, he interacted with every Indian player and encouraged them.
PM Modi has been particular about honoring Indian athletes and motivating them by acknowledging their efforts at the biggest stages of sport. After the Tokyo Olympics, the Commonwealth Games last year and Asian Games this year, PM Modi hosted the Indian athletes and lauded their role in doing the nation proud.
India played ruthless cricket, winning all their 10 matches, including the semi-final against New Zealand, but faltered in the final hurle. Managing just 240 on the board after they were sent into bat on a dry pitch, India failed to defend the total. A sensational hundred from Travis Head sealed the big final for Australia,who won the World Cup for the 6th time in men’s cricket history.
Head coach Rahul Dravid spoke about the emotions in the dressing room, saying it was hard for the players and himself to let the feeling of the defeat sink in.
