Victory celebrations unfold: India defends T20 World Cup title with 96-run victory; Ranchi erupts in joy as fans take to the streets

Ranchi: It seemed like a Diwali night in the city on Sunday as people started bursting crackers as New Zealand kept losing wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad and lost by a huge margin of 96 runs as India defended their title.

The celebrations started as Jasprit Bumrah took two consecutive wickets, leading the team towards a sure victory. Fans erupted in joy, burst firecrackers, and waved the tricolour at Albert Ekka Chowk, Lalpur, Burdwan Compound, and other locations across the city. Hundreds of people took to the streets, blocking traffic, and expressed their joy as India lifted the trophy for the second consecutive time.




Security personnel were pressed into service at Albert Ekka Chowk to manage the crowd.

Ajay Singh, who gathered at Albert Ekka Chowk with his friends, said, “I was quite sure of India winning the title, as they unleashed power-packed performances throughout the tournament. All the players gave impressive performances, giving us this opportunity to cherish for a lifetime.”

Earlier, cricket fans across the city remained glued to television screens and mobile phones on Sunday evening as the action unfolded.

From neighbourhood groups to restaurants and cricket academies, the atmosphere in the city turned festive as supporters cheered for the men in blue. In bars and restaurants, cricket fans gathered with their loved ones to watch the match.

Many restaurants also rolled out lucrative offers on drinks and food to attract fans. Many cricket enthusiasts gathered at community screenings, cafés and friends’ houses to witness the high-voltage clash. Ranchi Press Club also arranged a screening of the match for journalists and their families.

“We were confident that India will win. The team performed brilliantly throughout the tournament,” said Pritam Singh, a cricket enthusiast watching the match with friends in Lalpur.

As Indian openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma unleashed a merciless attack on New Zealand in the opening overs, fans erupted in joy and started early celebrations. After Abhishek returned to the pavilion, Ishan Kishan came to the crease and continued hitting shots.

India’s innings took the fans on a rollercoaster ride, after a flurry of quick wickets following the dismissal of Samson.

“The initial tempo was lost from the 13th to 18th over as star batters Samson, Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya went back to the pavilion in quick succession. But in the last over, Shivam Dube again picked up the pace, bolstering the team’s chances of winning the match and taking the score to 255,” said Rakesh Kumar, a fan.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !