Did Virat Kohli Initiate the 'Vande Mataram' Sing-Along at Wankhede?

Thousands of fans gathered inside Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium, joining in a spirited rendition of 'Vande Mataram' during Team India's T20 World Cup victory parade. India secured their second T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. In gratitude for the unwavering support, Rohit Sharma and his team took a victory lap at Wankhede Stadium.

The celebration echoed the atmosphere of the 2011 ODI World Cup final, with chants of 'Vande Mataram' reminiscent of MS Dhoni's match-winning six against Sri Lanka. During the victory lap, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and the entire Indian team sang along with the enthusiastic crowd.

The parade, which began at Nariman Point and ended at Wankhede Stadium, caused traffic to halt as thousands lined the streets to catch glimpses of their cricketing heroes. For Rohit Sharma, who debuted as the youngest member of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's historic 2007 squad, leading his team on a victory lap at age 37 was a surreal experience.

A viral video on social media captured Virat Kohli instructing Team India players to sing 'Vande Mataram' with the crowd, sparking speculation about whether it was Kohli's initiative to include the anthem during the celebrations.

The BCCI honored the Men in Blue with a prize of Rs 125 crore for their triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup. Following their monumental contributions to India's second T20 World Cup triumph, skipper Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli announced their retirements from T20 Internationals.

Kohli, awarded player of the match for his sublime 76 in the final against South Africa, was the first to announce his decision, followed shortly by Rohit, who stated that having achieved his goals, it was time to step aside.