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"Maa Tujhe Salam": The Night Virat Kohli Roared With The Nation At Wankhede

Soumyajit Dutta

Virat Kohli leads the victory parade at Wankhede [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Virat Kohli leads the victory parade at Wankhede [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

Emotions flew high and national pride even higher when Virat Kohli transformed from match-winning anchor to passionate conductor as he led India's emotional victory lap at a euphoric Wankhede Stadium with the national flag in his hand on July 4.

Days after anchoring India's nerve-wracking 7-run win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados on June 29, 2024, Kohli stood front and centre during the team's celebratory parade in Mumbai, singing his heart out as the crowd joined him to salute India and India's pride.

Kohli Leading The Squad In Victory Parade Mirrors His Final Heroics

Virat Kohli leading the victory lap [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Virat Kohli leading the victory lap [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

While teammates like an enthusiastic Hardik Pandya cheered the crowd beside him, and Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, Yashasvi Jaiswal followed, singing with equal fervour, it was Virat Kohli who truly ignited the iconic venue. 

With raw emotion, he belted out "Vande Mataram" at the top of his voice, urging the packed stands to join him in a powerful, unifying anthem of national pride that echoed around the stadium. Kohli led while holding the national flag in his right hand as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja were also seen raising their voice to sing the national song of India.

Virat Kohli Was The Final's Bedrock When India Stumbled

Virat Kohli led the charge with the bat [Source: @pujali_pathak/X.com]Virat Kohli led the charge with the bat [Source: @pujali_pathak/X.com]

Kohli's iconic celebration was built on the foundation of a crucial, match-defining innings in the final. Walking in early after the dismissals of Rohit Sharma (9) and Rishabh Pant (0) within the first two overs, and then Suryakumar Yadav (3) in the 5th, India found themselves in deep trouble at 34/3. 

Kohli became the immovable anchor. He carefully rebuilt the innings alongside Axar Patel, their 72-run partnership for the 4th wicket pulling India out of crisis. While initially measured, Kohli accelerated brilliantly later on. He reached a vital half-century off 48 balls and finished with a top-score of 76 off 59 deliveries, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. His dismissal in the 19th over, caught by Rabada off Jansen, ended an innings that provided the backbone of India's competitive 176/7.

Wankhede Witnesses Kohli's Patriotic Fervour

Nevertheless, the victory parade at Wankhede was the cathartic release for a nation starved of an ICC trophy for 11 years. And Kohli embodied that emotion. That day, Kohli sang microphone-less but heard by thousands, conducting the crowd like a maestro leading a choir of millions. 

In that moment, Kohli's voice was hoarse but his spirit was soaring, offering a heartfelt "Maa Tujhe Salam" to the nation through song, cementing an unforgettable image of triumph and devotion.