New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the dressing room of the Indian cricket team after the defeat by Australia in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Current and former players of the Indian team are praising PM Modi for this step. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag said that he has never seen a Prime Minister meeting the players of any team and motivating them after losing a match.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Sehwag said, “There are very rare occasions when the Prime Minister of a country meets the players and encourages them. Especially, I have not seen any team losing and its Prime Minister meeting the players. This was a very good move by the Prime Minister when he went to the dressing room to meet the Indian players. Boosted their enthusiasm.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to the dressing room to encourage the dejected Indian players after their defeat by Australia in the Cricket World Cup final. Modi had reached here to watch the final match played between India and Australia on Sunday. Sehwag further said, “When you lose a match like the World Cup final, you need support at that time. You need support from your fans… friends… everyone. In my view, it was a very good work which Prime Minister Modi did. That will increase their enthusiasm. This will help our players to perform well in the next World Cup…If the Prime Minister of any country meets the players and encourages them, no matter what sport it is, be it cricket, hockey or football, it will help the players. Gets confidence.”
#WATCH | Indian cricketer Surya Kumar Yadav says "As you all know, it has been 4-5 days since the World Cup finished. We are all disappointed. It felt really good seeing the support of our fans in India and across the world. I would like to say that this is a sport and it teaches… pic.twitter.com/m7KoaPilpP
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023
Regarding the defeat in the final, Sehwag said that it was not that the match was lost because of any one person. He said, “According to me, there are very few Prime Ministers who have visited the dressing room of a losing team. If the Prime Minister of the country goes and meets any sportsman or in any field and encourages him, it gives one confidence, no matter which field he is a player in…”
Many Indian players were seen in tears after the defeat in the final after 10 consecutive wins in the World Cup. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Shami shared their dressing room moment with the Prime Minister on X (formerly Twitter). Shami shared a picture with Modi and wrote, “Unfortunately, yesterday was not our day. I would like to thank all Indians for supporting our team and me throughout the tournament. I am especially grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming to the dressing room and encouraging us. we will return.”
In this picture, Shami’s head is on Modi’s shoulder and the Prime Minister is seen encouraging him. While sharing the picture with Modi, Jadeja wrote, “Our tournament was very good but yesterday we lost. We are all sad but with the support of people we are moving forward. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the dressing room yesterday was special and very inspiring.” Modi had earlier praised the Indian team and said that the country stands with them and will always stand with them. Prime Minister Modi wrote on Sunday, “Dear Team India, your talent and determination in the World Cup was remarkable. You played with great spirit and made the country proud. We stand with you today and always.”
#WATCH | Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag says "…I have never seen a prime minister meeting the players of a team and motivating them after they lose a match. It was a great gesture by PM Modi to encourage our prayers and support them. This will help our players to… pic.twitter.com/i9FfZY4Oep
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023
