Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the presentation ceremony following the conclusion of the ICC World Cup. Australia captain Pat Cummins is also seen.
Credit: X/@rishibagree
India's loss to Australia in the ICC World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has sparked a war of words between the BJP and Congress, with senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore reminding the saffron party of the Indian cricket team's record since the Modi govt came to power.
Taking to X shortly after India crumbled, Tagore posted, saying that India had won the World Cup in 1983 and 2011, when the grand old party was in power.
Tagore then went on to cite India's record post-2014, pointing out losses in the 2014 T20 World Cup final, and losses in the 2015 and 2019 ICC World Cup tournaments.
Hitting back, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli slammed opposition leaders resorting to such politics, criticising their willingness to "stoop to this level to attack the PM personally."
The saffron party further labelled the antics by the opposition an "injustice" to both the Men in Blue and the sport.
Amid the din, however, the Indian cricket team thanked the PM for his words of support following the loss.
Modi had visited the Indian dressing room where he hugged pacer Mohammed Shami, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, and also spoke with Ravindra Jadeja.
The cricketers took to social media to reveal about their meeting with the PM.
"We had a great tournament but we ended up short yesterday. We are all heartbroken but the support of our people is keeping us going. PM @narendramodi's visit to the dressing room yesterday was special and very motivating," Jadeja posted on X along with a picture with Modi.
Shami also posted his picture with Modi with a message.
"Unfortunately yesterday was not our day. I would like to thank all Indians for supporting our team and me throughout the tournament. Thankful to PM @narendramodi for specially coming to the dressing room and raising our spirits. We will bounce back!," Shami wrote on his X, formerly twitter, page.
(With PTI inputs)