[Watch] When Team India did an open top bus parade in Mumbai after 2007 World T20 win
The 2007 World T20 holds a special place in the hearts of Indian fans as the Men in Blue won their first World Cup title since the famous 1983 triumph. Led by a young MS Dhoni and with several newcomers, Team India produced a scintillating display through the tournament to become the first T20 World Cup champions.
Following the victory, the team held an open-top bus parade in Mumbai upon their return from South Africa. The parade extended all over Mumbai with fans filling the streets to witness their favorite stars returning as World Champions.
Here is a video of the jubilant moment back in 2007:
India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling finale by five runs to cement their place in history books.
The triumph led to one of the biggest moments in the cricketing landscape when the IPL came into existence the following year. The league has since captured the imagination of fans around the country and has become among the largest sporting markets in the world.
The 2007 World T20 win also established MS Dhoni at the helm of Team India for years to come and the legendary cricketer went on to achieve heights never seen before. He led the side to the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy titles apart from five IPL championships with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
India's victorious 2024 T20 World Cup squad to have similar open top parade in Mumbai
Like in 2007, India's 2024 T20 World Cup winning squad will partake in an open-top bus parade in Mumbai on Thursday, July 4. The parade will take place from the National Centre for Performing Arts in Nariman Point to the Wankhede Stadium at 4 pm.
A source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the same to The Indian Express:
"The players are tired and are mentally fatigued. That is why it was decided to have short open-top bus parade from NCPA, Nariman Point, to Wankhede Stadium which is not more than 2 kilometers followed by prize distribution, where the Rs 125 crore prize money will be distributed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah."
Rohit Sharma's men became the first team to win the T20 World Cup title without losing a game. The side broke their 11-year ICC trophy drought by pulling off a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the grand finale on June 29.