Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: An overcast sky and intermittent light rains could not dampen the spirits of lakhs of ecstatic fans who thronged Marine Drive in south Mumbai to catch a glimpse of their heroes and the World Cup trophy. The Mumbai Police issued a request on X, asking people to “avoid” commuting towards Marine Drive due to the heavy rush of fans gathered for the Indian cricket team’s victory parade.
“Due to the heavy rush of fans around Wankhede Stadium for the Victory Parade of the Indian Cricket Team, citizens are requested to avoid commuting towards Marine Drive,” the post read.
Traffic came to a grinding halt on south Mumbai’s busy road as a sea of fans lined up on the 1-km stretch to greet the men in blue after their stupendous T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. Cars already on the road could not move an inch, becoming stationary amid a swelling crowd of lakhs.
The entire stretch from Nariman Point to Churchgate was jam-packed, and the Wankhede Stadium rumbled with deafening sloganeering and cheers from the crowd awaiting the parade to begin. The cricketers arrived on an open-deck bus specially brought in from Gujarat, adding to the excitement.
The Vistara flight carrying the Indian team landed at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and was accorded a “water salute” in celebration of their victory.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, the fervent crowd’s enthusiasm remained undeterred as they eagerly awaited their heroes and the prestigious World Cup trophy.
