INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi, who attended the later part of the ICC Men's cricket World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad in his home state of Gujarat on Sunday (19), paid a visit to the Indian cricket team's dressing room at the Narendra Modi Stadium following its hear-breaking defeat against Australia.
On Monday (20), fast bowler Mohammed Shami and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shared pictures of the prime minister's moments spent with them.
“Unfortunately yesterday was not our day. I would like to thank all Indians for supporting our team and me throughout the tournament. Thankful to PM Narendra Modi for specially coming to the dressing room and raising our spirits. We will bounce back!” Shami, who captured 24 wickets in the tournament in just seven games to end up as the highest wicket-taker, wrote in a post on X with a picture showing Modi consoling him.
Modi showered praise on the seamer after his brilliant show in the semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai, a game in which he single-handedly decimated the opponents by taking seven wickets for 57 runs.
He ended up as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 24 scalps.
Jadeja, who also hails from Gujarat and whose wife Rivaba is a lawmaker in the state from Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, said in a post on X, “We had a great tournament but we ended up short yesterday. We are all heartbroken but the support of our people is keeping us going. PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the dressing room yesterday was special and very motivating."
Modi was also seen consoling captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli.
Modi, who wished the Indian team success before the match and extended support after the defeat, handed over the trophy to Australian captain Pat Cummins in the post-match ceremony along with Australian deputy prime minister and defence minister Richard Marles who is in India for strategic talks.
India were bowled out for 240 runs in 50 overs after Australia won the toss and sent them into bat. They then overhauled the target in just 43 overs with opener Travis Head slamming a hundred.
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