When Team India opted to continue an open bus top procession after arriving at the nation’s financial centre, hoping to celebrate becoming the world champions with all the cricket craze fans, cricket fever from the recently finished T20 World Cup 2024 turned into a sea of jubilation.
Notably, the BCCI, the highest cricket regulatory body in India, had planned an open bus celebration modelled after the Blue Brigade, led by MS Dhoni, celebrated team India’s victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup. But, some fans had to endure some uncomfortable situations in the midst of the festivities. Cricket enthusiasts who had assembled at Mumbai’s famous Marine Drive on Thursday, July 4, disclosed that numerous people had become unconscious as a result of subpar planning and handling by the Mumbai police.
Moreover, a supporter going by the name of Ravi Solanki reported that he had trouble breathing when the throng intensified over time, choking him. He did not hold back in his criticism of the police, claiming that their incompetence in handling the situation caused turmoil. From the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA), located at Nariman Point, to the well-known Wankhede Stadium, Team India began their bus procession. In addition, the streets were crowded with slippers and other footwear, which suggested the chaotic picture that would have developed during the parade.
“The Indian team was supposed to arrive here between five and six o’clock, but that did not transpire,” I learned as I was leaving the office. The throng continued growing. The police were failing to control the situation. Abrupt shouting broke out, and some collapsed on top of one another. It was terribly disorganised. Nobody was there to oversee. The ANI cited Solanki as stating, “The incident happened between 8:15 pm and 8:45 pm.”
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Footwear scattered everywhere at Mumbai’s Marine Drive after the T20 World Cup victory parade.
According to Mumbai Police, the conditions of several fans gathered had deteriorated- some got injured and some had trouble breathing. pic.twitter.com/PvHjZKfPrn
— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024
Another cricket enthusiast, Rishab Mahesh Yadav, also described the circumstances that arose during the victory march. He recounted that, thankfully, he was brought to a hospital for prompt medical attention after passing out on the spot. Afterwards, as his health stabilised, he recovered, albeit it was clear that he was dissatisfied with the way the police handled the throng and the procession. Notably, the gathering in South Mumbai began to swell about 3 p.m. They were dancing to celebrate India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, ending the Men in Blue’s 11-year wait to win an ICC World Cup trophy, during the victory parade.
“The throng was getting larger. I got suffocated after falling. I passed out. I was brought to the adjacent hospital and treated there. I feel good right now. The throng was more than required. Mismanagement took place. The disgruntled fan recalled that the police were also not on guard.
After arriving in New Delhi, Team India, who was stranded in Barbados, visited Prime Minister Modi.
In addition, fans had to wait much longer than they had planned for their World Cup heroes because Team India was stranded in Barbados as a result of Cyclone Beryl on the island. Fans were excited to see the Rohit Sharma-led team arrive in Mumbai after they had seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day, and they began to clap for the Indian players.
Additionally, they occasionally asked the legendary players to raise the glistening World Cup trophy into the air, and the players obediently did so as a symbol of the enormous support and gratitude that the fans had shown for Team India by attending in big numbers.
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