NEW DELHI: Four Mumbai cricketers who were part of India’s T20 World Cup winning team, including captain Rohit Sharma, were honored by the Maharashtra government on Friday evening at the Vidhan Bhavan complex in Mumbai.

The event marked the first time the state legislature complex hosted a felicitation for cricketers.

Rohit Sharma, along with batters Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and all-rounder Shivam Dubey, received accolades in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and his deputies Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.

The recognition comes a day after the victorious squad was welcomed with a grand celebration in Mumbai.



Ajit Pawar, speaking on the occasion, acknowledged Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20 internationals.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde felicitated the four cricketers from Mumbai in the presence of his deputies Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.



Speaking on the occasion, Pawar said, “Rohit Sharma has made it clear that he would no longer play T20 internationals. But whenever we will watch a T20 match, we will always remember you and your team’s achievements.”

Fadnavis praised Sharma, saying his name is now etched in cricket history forever.

“Rohit gave us good and bad news on the same day. He won the T20 World Cup but also announced his retirement from T20 international format. His name is permanently etched in the history of Indian cricket,” said Fadnavis.

The deputy CM also commended the Mumbai police for controlling the large crowds that had gathered to greet Team India.

“We were seriously concerned when lakhs of people gathered in Mumbai on Thursday evening (to watch the victory parade). Thanks Rohit for appreciating the efforts of the Mumbai police who handled the crowd efficiently and everyone went home safely,” Fadnavis said.

Responding to the felicitation, Sharma emphasized the collaborative effort that led to their victory.

“CM Eknath Shinde told me that such an event has never been organised in the Vidhan Bhavan complex. It was a dream come true to bring a cricket World Cup to India after 13 years of wait. It was a team effort,” said the 37-year-old batting star.

“It was a solid team effort. Surya just told everyone that the ball landed in his hand luckily. Had it not landed, I would have made him sat in the next match,” he said jokingly.

The skipper also expressed gratitude to the Mumbai police for managing the crowd during their victory parade on Marine Drive.

Surya, who took a match-turning catch in the final, said, “I am very happy to meet you all. I can never forget the kind of support we all received yesterday and today here at Vidhan Bhavan.”

Dubey remarked the rousing welcome accorded to Team India was overwhelming. “I am proud that I am living in Maharashtra. We are overwhelmed by the welcome,” said Dubey.

Deputy Chairperson of Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe said, “Probably for the first time, cricketers are being felicitated in the premises of Vidhan Bhavan.”