The reception we got in Mumbai is one memorable thing for all of us: Lalchand Rajput

Lalchand Rajput, who was the manager of the triumphant Indian team in World T20 in 2007, has fresh memories of the reception they received in Mumbai. He has still not got over the warm welcome the fans gave the team after the World Cup win. Rajput has compared the scenes of 2007 with the World Cup 2011 and feels that the T20 World Cup win was more memorable.

The victory in the inaugural World T20 changed the dynamics of the Indian cricket for sure and it also gave India the best captain in MS Dhoni. Also, the most of them went on to represent the national team for a long time while a few of the players are still playing in the Indian side which proves that the stars were born during the tournament. A lot of memories are still fresh in the minds of the cricket fans even after 10 long years of the success.

Yuvraj’s six sixes made us believe

Rajput recalled his coaching stint with the Indian team and felt that it was a challenge to lead the young side. “I think after the Greg Chappell fiasco, I was looking forward (to getting a chance to handle the Indian team) and fortunately for me, I got an opportunity to coach the team in the Twenty20 World Cup. It was a challenge by itself, because there were no senior players, it was a young-look team, the new players were there, new coach, new captain, plus some players who were looking to make a comeback into the team.

“So, it was a challenge for us, we had just exited the 2007 WC in the West Indies, so it was a challenge.. to get the team together, to get the performance together, and do something worthwhile so that people always remember,” he was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying.

The former Mumbai cricketer also claimed that Yuvraj Singh’s world record to hit six sixes in an over made them believe that they can go all the way in the tournament.

“I think, it was the England game, when Yuvraj (Singh) hit six sixes, that was the game when we started believing that we are in this tournament to win it. That belief really went on and then we went on to beat Australia, the only game we lost was against New Zealand. The England game in more ways than one brought us the momentum and we were also able to carry it forward,” Rajput continued.

The 55-year-old also termed that the reception Team India received after landing in Mumbai was the best. He also said that those memories are still fresh in his mind.

“The biggest memory of my life, and I think it will never happen again for me, was the reception in Mumbai when we came back from South Africa. From the Mumbai airport to the Wankhede stadium, that was one memorable thing for all of us. I had not seen such a celebration for the team, see.. we won the 2011 World Cup as well, but the reception wasn’t like this. Mumbai was at a standstill when we came back, everyone was there on their balconies, on the streets, to welcome us and cheer for us. That will always be fresh in my mind. The T20 WC came at the right time for me, for all of us,” he signed off while reliving one of the best days of Indian cricket.