Mumbai: South Mumbai witnessed massive traffic snarls as a sea of people converged at Marine Drive to witness the victory parade of the Indian cricket team on Thursday evening. Trains arriving at Churchgate on the Western Railway network and the sprawling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the last station on Central Railway's vast route, were crowded as people from various parts of the metropolis made their way to the southern tip right from the afternoon of the metropolis to watch the parade. Stations and roads reverberated with slogans of 'Bharat Mataki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'India India' as Tricolour-waving and blue jersey-clad crowds braved the intermittent rains to catch a glimpse of the team that had brought T20 cricket's most coveted prize home after more than a decade. Roads in the entire region saw heavy parking since afternoon, while megaphone wielding Railway Protection Force and railway police personnel manned stations guiding people to the iconic Marine Drive.

Despite a two-hour delay, the enthusiasm of the fans remained undeterred, turning South Mumbai into a vibrant, chaotic carnival. Traffic came to a standstill as thousands thronged the streets to catch a glimpse of Rohit Sharma and his men, igniting scenes of jubilation and patriotic fervour. Every time Rohit, Kohli, Dravid, Bumrah, and others appeared, the fans celebrated enthusiastically.

The team's journey from New Delhi commenced post a breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following a grueling return from Barbados in the early morning hours. Departing at 3:42 pm, the team, led by Rohit Sharma, touched down at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport shortly after 5 pm. Their Vistara flight was greeted with the honour of a ‘Water Salute’, marking the beginning of an extraordinary day.

Upon disembarking, the players were met with an ecstatic crowd and a barrage of media, both of which had been eagerly awaiting their arrival for hours. The open bus parade, scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm, finally commenced at 7:30 pm from the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) at Nariman Point. The route towards the iconic Wankhede Stadium, now a historical landmark in Indian cricket, was engulfed by an ‘Ocean of Humanity’.

Wankhede Stadium, synonymous with India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory, had its gates flung open to fans early in the evening. Within minutes, the stands were overflowing, with thousands more thronging outside. The gates were closed by 5 pm, leaving many passionate supporters outside in the intermittent rain and intense humidity.

Inside the stadium, despite the scarcity of food and water, the fortunate ones who managed to secure a spot were undeterred. As the rain sporadically poured, fans scrambled to their places, leaving behind a trail of abandoned footwear and assorted debris. The incessant rain, however, failed to dampen their spirits. The DJ's infectious beats turned Wankhede into a rain-dance spectacle, with tracks like Vengaboys' ‘To Brazil’ and the unofficial sports anthem ‘Chak de India’ elevating the atmosphere to new heights.

The stadium echoed with nostalgic chants of ‘Sachin… Sachin’, a homage to the cricketing legend, seamlessly transitioning to celebratory cheers of ‘Mumbaicha Raja, Rohit Sharma!’ and ‘India… India’. The pulsating energy was palpable, as if the stands themselves were pulsating with every beat.

As the evening progressed, the bus carrying the champions finally made its way through the fervent crowd, culminating at Wankhede Stadium. Rohit Sharma and his men, basking in the adoration, waved to their supporters, their faces lit with the glow of victory and national pride.

Mumbai, in all its chaotic splendour, had once again proven its unparalleled passion for cricket. The victory parade was more than a celebration; it was a testament to the unifying power of sport, binding millions in a collective euphoria. As the night drew to a close, the echoes of cheers and the sight of a city painted in jubilant colours lingered, a memory etched in the annals of Indian cricketing history.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)