In a glittering celebration of cricketing excellence, the three men who have led India to its greatest glory on the world stage were honoured together. The iconic captains—Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma—were felicitated at the 'United by Triumph' event held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on Tuesday evening.
A Gathering of Legends
The evening was a rare confluence of Indian cricket's most triumphant eras. The event, organized by the RPSG Group, saw the presence of not just the honoured captains but also a galaxy of former and current cricketing stars. The atmosphere was electric as the legends of 1983, 2007, 2011, and 2023 came together under one roof.
Among the distinguished guests were members of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, including the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohinder Amarnath, Kirti Azad, Madan Lal, and Syed Kirmani. The modern era was represented by stars like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Shubman Gill. The presence of BCCI secretary Jay Shah and former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly added further prestige to the occasion.
Celebrating Iconic Triumphs
The event served as a powerful walk down memory lane, celebrating four landmark victories that have defined Indian cricket. Kapil Dev's underdogs lifting the 1983 Prudential World Cup at Lord's changed the sport's landscape in the country forever. MS Dhoni's young team clinching the inaugural 2007 ICC World T20 and then the monumental 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil cemented his legacy. Most recently, Rohit Sharma's leadership in securing the 2023 ICC World Test Championship and the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup completed India's set of major ICC trophies.
In a heartfelt moment, Kapil Dev presented a special memento to Dhoni and Rohit, symbolizing the passing of the torch. "It's a pleasure to give this to the two boys who have done so much for the country," Kapil said, highlighting the respect across generations.
Voices from the Heroes
The captains shared their thoughts and memories, offering fans a glimpse into their leadership journeys. Kapil Dev humbly stated that the 1983 team played for self-respect and never imagined becoming a source of inspiration for future champions like Dhoni and Rohit.
MS Dhoni, reflecting on his journey, emphasized the collective effort. "It's important to enjoy the journey, and the process is more important than the result... I never thought I would achieve so much in cricket," he remarked. He also praised Rohit Sharma's recent T20 World Cup win, noting the immense pressure of the final.
Rohit Sharma, the latest to join this elite club, spoke about the weight of expectation. "There was pressure, but we were determined to get the job done," he said about the 2024 T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. He expressed his honour at being celebrated alongside his illustrious predecessors.
The evening was not just about speeches but also about shared camaraderie. Viral videos from the event showed Dhoni and Kohli in a warm, lengthy conversation, while Gavaskar was seen interacting warmly with the current generation of players like Bumrah and Gill.
A Legacy of Leadership and Inspiration
The 'United by Triumph' event transcended a simple awards ceremony. It stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of leadership in Indian cricket. It beautifully wove together the threads of different generations, united by their common goal of bringing the world title to the nation.
This gathering underscored how each triumph built upon the last, inspiring the next set of champions. From Kapil's fearless belief in 1983 to Dhoni's ice-cool finishes and Rohit's aggressive brand of captaincy, the evening celebrated the evolving yet connected spirit of winning for India. The event successfully highlighted that while the game's format and style may change, the ultimate triumph lies in uniting a billion dreams.
