The streets of Mumbai erupted in a joyous celebration on Thursday evening as thousands of fans thronged the city to witness the T20 World Cup victory parade of the triumphant Indian cricket team. The parade held to commemorate India’s recent T20 World Cup win, turned into an event not just for the cricketers but also for a particularly die-hard fan who went viral for his unique vantage point.
The parade route, particularly the iconic Marine Drive in South Mumbai, witnessed a massive crowd surge. People from all corners of the city converged on the southern tip of the metropolis, eager to catch a glimpse of their cricket heroes. Train stations like Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus overflowed with fans decked out in blue jerseys, chanting patriotic slogans and waving the tricolor flag. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the joyous cheers and patriotic songs like “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram.”
Also Read: Watch: Millions of fans show up at Mumbai’s Marine Drive for Team India T20 World Cup victory parade
However, amidst the sea of cheering fans, one individual managed to stand out from the crowd in a rather unconventional way. A die-hard cricket fan, in his quest for an unobstructed view of the victory parade, took the rather unorthodox approach of climbing a tree along the route. This audacious act did not go unnoticed. As the open-top bus carrying the Indian cricket team snaked its way through the crowd, the fan perched high on the tree branch caught the eye of none other than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Indian cricket team’s biggest zebra fan who climbed a tree. pic.twitter.com/05VRIVkWfd
— KK NEHRA (@Krishan88701400) July 4, 2024
News reports suggest that Virat Kohli, in a moment of amusement, pointed out the fan to Rohit Sharma, sparking a lighthearted exchange between the two cricketers. This interaction, captured on camera, quickly went viral on social media, turning the tree-climbing fan into an overnight sensation. While the authorities might not recommend such antics for safety reasons, the fan’s dedication and his act of securing a prime spot on a tree branch undeniably added a touch of lighthearted humor to the momentous occasion.
Virat Kohli asking Rohit Sharma to see the fan who climbed up the tree. This bond 😭😭❤️❤️pic.twitter.com/geZP1cIWye
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 4, 2024
Despite the occasional traffic snarls caused by the sheer volume of spectators, the overall mood remained celebratory. The parade culminated at the Wankhede Stadium, where the Indian team, led by Captain Virat Kohli, took a victory lap with the coveted T20 World Cup trophy held high. This final act further fueled the celebratory atmosphere, bringing the city’s joyous celebration to a fitting conclusion.
The story of the tree-climbing fan serves shows the unparalleled passion that cricket evokes in India. It’s a reminder that for some fans, witnessing the their heroes is an experience worth going the extra mile for, even if that extra mile involves scaling a tree.
